Jared Hughes nabs a save; Kyle Farnsworth returns

July 1, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays – Kyle Farnsworth pitched his first inning of year on Saturday, logging a scoreless frame in the 7th inning.  The former closer immediately slots in to the Rays late-inning hierarchy, and could push Joel Peralta for the 8th inning role.  Hierarchy change: Kyle Farnsworth to 2nd in line, replacing Jake McGee.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |Farnsworth |Farnsworth |7/1/12

 
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes got the last out of the 8th inning with the Pirates up three runs, then stayed on for the 9th after the Pirates added to their lead.  Hughes does not fit in to the Pirates regular late-inning plans.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedPIT |Hanrahan |Grilli |Cruz |Hanrahan |6/11/12

 
Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes was summoned in the 6th inning on Saturday with the A’s down by 4 runs, and he proceeded to give up a run on two hits and a walk in 1.1 innings.  Bob Melvin has said that he’s trying to work Fuentes back into a late-inning role, but the lefty isn’t helping himself, as he now sports a 6.84 ERA.  Jerry Blevins (2.51 ERA) has been a much more reliable lefty for the A’s, as he picked up a 7th inning hold on Friday.  Hierarchy change: Jerry Blevins to 2nd in line, replacing Brian Fuentes. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Blevins |Cook |7/1/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Vicente Padilla, Boston Red Sox – Alfredo Aceves pitched 2.1 innings yesterday in an extra inning game.
2. Brandon League, Seattle Mariners – Tom Wilhelmsen pitched 2 innings yesterday in an extra inning game.
3. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With with the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.

Ryan Cook, Shawn Camp earn first saves of the season

June 13, 2012

Chicago Cubs – Carlos Marmol pitched in a tie game in the 8th, eventually earning the win last night.  After Marmol pitched, Shawn Camp earned his first save of the season, pitching a clean ninth inning.  Camp has now gotten the last two save opportunities (he blew the first one), after James Russell got the first two chances following Rafael Dolis’s demotion.  Russell remains firmly on the Hot Seat, and another save chance for Camp could signal a shift in the Cubs’ ugly closer-by-committee.  Hierarchy change: Carlos Marmol to 2nd in line, replacing Casey Coleman.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Marmol |Marmol |6/13/12

 
Oakland A’s – In the A’s first save opportunity since Bob Melvin announced the platoon, Ryan Cook got the call, striking out 2 and earning his first save.  Grant Balfour pitched the 7th and 8th innings.  While Fuentes may still get a save chance if match-ups are right, he hasn’t pitched since being demoted.  Hierarchy change: Grant Balfour to Set-up, Brian Fuentes to 2nd in line. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Balfour |Fuentes |Cook |6/13/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has registered 2 saves for the Cubs since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will likely determine who is used in the 9th today.
2. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 5 of the last 8 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.

Brian Fuentes demoted, Ryan Cook to lead closer by committee in Oakland

June 10, 2012

Washington Nationals – After Brad Lidge struggled Friday in his first outing since returning from the DL, Washington went to Sean Burnett in the 8th inning on Saturday.  Burnett (0.95 ERA) pitched another clean inning and continues to have a stellar season.  Hierarchy change: Sean Burnett to Set-up, Brad Lidge to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Clippard |Burnett |Lidge |Storen |6/10/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle before Saturday’s game that he would employ a closer-by-committee going forward, with Ryan Cook, Brian Fuentes, and Grant Balfour involved.  Melvin also said that Ryan Cook was his best option in any tough situation, making him the best bet to win the job.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Closer, Brian Fuentes to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |Cook |6/10/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Juan Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has pitched in three straight, and in four of the last five.
2. Sean Burnett, Washington Nationals – Tyler Clippard has pitched in back to back games, and in four of the last five.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 4 of the last 6 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.
4. Shawn Camp, Chicago Cubs – James Russell has gotten 2 of the Cubs 3 save opportunities since the demotion of Rafael Dolis; Camp has gotten the other.  Matchups will determine who is used in the 9th today.

Ryan Cook most likely to emerge in Oakland’s closer by committee

June 9, 2012

Oakland A’s – Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle before Saturday’s game that he would employ a closer-by-committee going forward, with Ryan Cook, Brian Fuentes, and Grant Balfour involved.  Melvin also said that Ryan Cook was his best option in any tough situation, making him the best bet to win the job going forward.  Cook could get a save chance as soon as tonight.  Hierarchy change: Ryan Cook to Closer, Brian Fuentes to Set-up. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Cook |Fuentes |Balfour |Cook |6/9/12

Brian Fuentes blows another save, Shawn Camp gets his first save opportunitiy

June 9, 2012

Oakland A’s – Brian Fuentes blew another save last night and is now only 5 for 8 in save opportunities.  Ryan Cook pitched the 8th last night and struck out the side while lowering his ERA to 0.69.  When asked about the closer situation after the game Manager Bob Melvin simply said, “I don’t make a decision like that two minutes after a game.”  It appears Melvin is certainly considering a change and Cook has pitched well enough to deserve a shot at closing.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedOAK |Fuentes |Cook |Balfour |Cook |6/9/12

 
Chicago Cubs – While Dale Sveum declared that his 9th inning role a platoon, Friday was the first time since Rafael Dolis’s demotion that anyone other than James Russell was given a save opportunity for the Cubs.  Shawn Camp came in to try and close the door on the Twins, but gave up the tying run in the 9th, and then the game-winning run in the 10th.  While Camp struggled in his first effort in the role, Russell’s usage has been all over the place, as he’s been summoned before the 9th inning numerous times, including last night.  James Russell to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Russell |Camp |Coleman |Marmol |6/9/12

 
San Diego Padres – Andrew Cashner is being moved to the rotation. He will start today’s game, and if he pitches well, he’ll be sent to the minors to be stretched out.  Hierarchy change: Luke Gregerson to 2nd in line, replacing Andrew Cashner.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Thayer |Gregerson |Street |6/9/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Juan Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has pitched in back to back night and 3 out of the last 4.  Juan Cruz would get the chance for the save if Hanrahan gets a night off.
2. Shawn Camp/Casey Coleman/Manny CorpasChicago Cubs – James Russell’s usage suggests that if he is needed earlier in the game manager Sveum will not be afraid to bring him in before the 9th and let someone else close out the game.
3. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has gotten 4 of the last 6 save opps, but Downs could still snag a save on any night if match-ups are right.