June 6, 2015
Seattle Mariners — When Friday’s game stayed scoreless into the ninth, all-star coach Lloyd McClendon turned to the ultimate offensive catalyst — Fernando Rodney, who gave up the go-ahead home run. Apparently enamored with Rodney’s “man muscles,” the manager has steadfastly refused to consider replacing him with Carson Smith, but after this latest failure, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a change announced before Saturday’s game.
Hierarchy remains: Rodney | Smith | Wilhemsen.
Oakland Athletics — A four-run meltdown on Thursday was enough to get a struggling Dan Otero demoted to Triple-A; replacing him on the 25-man roster was the ambidextrous Pat Venditte, who rushed to Boston in time to pitch two scoreless innings in a loss, retiring batters with each hand. Sure, he’s probably not really second in line for the A’s, but whom would you prefer? Long man Drew Pomeranz? Eric O’Flaherty (10.13 ERA)? Fernando Abad (more earned runs than strikeouts)? Fernando Rodriguez (is Fernando Rodriguez)? Sean Doolittle isn’t coming through that door anytime soon, and Ryan Cook is in Nashville with Otero. For today, at least, P. ‘Ditte ain’t . . . goin’ nowhere.
Updated hierarchy: Clippard | Scribner | Venditte.
Tampa Bay Rays — Kevin Cash wanted to give Brad Boxberger another day off after his 32-pitch outing on Wednesday, so Kevin Jepsen got the call for a second straight night. He gave up a leadoff triple, but wriggled out of trouble impressively to pick up his third save.
Hierarchy remains: Boxberger | Jepsen | McGee.
Toronto Blue Jays — We haven’t repeated much of the endless Rafael Soriano speculation this season, but with Toronto general manager Alex Anthopolous admitting the team is interested, there’s a very real chance Soriano could be relevant again soon.
Hierarchy remains: Cecil | Osuna | Loup.
Texas Rangers — Shawn Tolleson’s success in the closer role will allow the Rangers to bring Neftali Feliz back slowly, with several minor league rehab outings planned.
Hierarchy remains: Tolleson | Kela | Ohlendorf.
New York Yankees — Andrew Miller needed a second day of rest after throwing 21 pitches on Tuesday and 35 on Wednesday, and with New York up seven through eight, it looked like that wouldn’t be a problem. But then LA put eight straight men on base to start the ninth: five by Esmil Rogers and three by Dellin Betances. After a visit from Joe Girardi, Betances managed to stop the Angels’ rally just in time, earning his second save of the season and saving Miller for another day.
Hierarchy remains: Miller | Betances | Shreve.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox — Koji Uehara has pitched on two straight days and three out of the last four. Junichi Tazawa has gone in three straight, so we’re betting on Barnes.
2. Tony Watson/Jared Hughes, Pittsburgh Pirates — Mark Melancon has pitched on four of the last five days. Watson threw 22 pitches on Friday, so the team might give Hughes or Arquimedes Caminero a shot.
3. Carson Smith, Seattle Mariners — It would make a lot of sense.