Bobby Parnell to share save chances in New York

September 28, 2012

New York Mets – After Jon Rauch gave up a 2-run HR in the 9th inning on Thursday, Bobby Parnell got the last two outs for his fifth save of the season.  With Frank Francisco likely done for the year, Rauch and Parnell will split opportunities in the season’s final week.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Rauch |Parnell |Edgin |Francisco |9/28/12 |Francis(INJ)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.
2. Bobby Parnell, New York Mets – With Frank Francisco on the shelf, Jon Rauch and Bobby Parnell will split save chances in the season’s final week.

Stephen Pryor continuing strong season

September 27, 2012

Seattle Mariners – Stephen Pryor pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Mariners on Wednesday, and was saddled with the loss when Torii Hunter drove in the game winning run in the 9th.  But despite the rough outing, Pryor has been stellar as of late, and has been repeatedly trusted in late-inning spots.  Hierarchy change: Stephen Pryor to 2nd in line, replacing Charlie Furbush.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSEA |Wilhelmsen |Kinney |Pryor |Wilhelmsen |9/27/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Scott Downs, Los Angeles Angels – Ernesto Frieri has pitched in two straight and four of the last five, and Kevin Jepsen has pitched 4 innings over the past four days.
2. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.

Frank Francisco likely done for the year, Jon Rauch to close

September 26, 2012

New York Mets – ESPN New York reported this morning that Frank Francisco is likely done for the year.  Terry Collins said that Francisco was unable to play catch on Tuesday and that it was “getting near that point of no return.”  Jon Rauch will close in his stead, and Bobby Parnell could also get a chance or two.  Hierarchy change: Jon Rauch to Closer, Bobby Parnell to Set-up, Josh Edgin to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedNYM |Rauch |Parnell |Edgin |Francisco |9/26/12 |Francis(INJ)|

Casey Fien having a strong season

September 26, 2012

Minnesota Twins – Casey Fien pitched the 7th inning on Tuesday, earning the win ahead of Jared Burton and Glen Perkins. Fien has a 1.62 ERA on the year and has allowed 0 or 1 earned runs in all but one of his 32 appearances.  Hierarchy change: Casey Fien to 2nd in line, replacing Alex Burnett.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedMIN |Perkins |Burton |Fien |Perkins |9/26/12 |Capps(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.
2. Tyler Clippard, Washington Nationals – Drew Storen is likely to get the majority of opportunities from here on out, but Davey Johnson said that Tyler Clippard could still occasionally get a save chance.

Storen has the edge in the Washington bullpen

September 25, 2012

Washington Nationals – In Monday’s 10-run blowout, the Nats went to Tyler Clippard in the 8th inning and Drew Storen in the 9th.  After the game, Davey Johnson said that Storen is now more likely to be used in the 9th, although the two will both close, depending on matchups. “The guy that goes out there is the closer that day,” Johnson told the Washington Post. “How’s that?”  Hierarchy change: Drew Storen to Closer, Tyler Clippard to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Storen |Clippard |Burnett |Storen |9/25/12

 
Chicago White Sox – After the White Sox grabbed the lead from the Indians in the bottom of the 8th, Robin Ventura sent lefty Matt Thornton out in a save situation in the 9th. Thornton gave up hits to two of the three batters he faced, so he was pulled for another lefty — Donnie Veal — who ultimately earned his first major league save. Although Addison Reed remains on the Hot Seat, it’s likely that this was just a reaction to an unexpected lead change.  No hierarchy change. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Reed |Thornton |Myers |Reed |9/25/12

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Javier Lopez, San Francisco Giants – Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo continue to share the 9th inning role for the Giants.