Matt Thornton and Scott Downs get saves

July 8, 2012

Los Angeles Angels
– With two lefties due up in the 9th, the Angels went to Scott Downs.  He pitched a perfect inning for his 8th save.  Ernesto Frieri is still the closer but Downs will continue to get saves if both continue to get the job done.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAA |Frieri |Downs |Hawkins |Walden |7/8/12

 
Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton picked up the save yesterday as predicted in the vulture save watch.  Addison Reed is still the closer and was just given the night off after pitching in the previous three days.   No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Jones |Reed |7/8/12 |Crain (DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joaquin Benoit, Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde had a rough outing yesterday and pitched in three straight games so he will likely get the day off on Sunday.
2. Jared Burton, Minnesota Twins – With the Twins employing a true platoon, Jared Burton could get the save opp if there’s a righty-heavy ninth inning due up.
3. Mike Adams, Texas Rangers – Joe Nathan threw 36 pitches in two innings yesterday.  This was the first time all season that Nathan had pitched more than one inning so he could be given the day off on Sunday.