Closer Monkey

Category: hierarchy change

  • Jason Grilli nabs a save; Matt Thornton ascending

    July 29, 2012 Chicago White Sox – Matt Thornton pitched the 9th inning in a four-run game yesterday, and has picked up two 7th-inning-or-later holds this week.  Meanwhile, Jesse Crain has been a little shaky since returning from the DL, allowing 5 baserunners over 2.1 innings.  Hierarchy change: Matt Thornton to 2nd in line, replacing…

  • Kevin Jepsen runs scoreless streak to 11 straight outings

    July 28, 2012 Los Angeles Angels – Hard-throwing righty Kevin Jepsen pitched the 7th inning last night, and he now has three holds and win this week, all pitching in the 7th inning or later.  Jepsen has not allowed a single run since returning from the minors, a span of 11 appearances.  Hierarchy change: Kevin…

  • Brewers to employ closer-by-committee; Darren O’Day rising

    July 27, 2012 Baltimore Orioles – Submariner Darren O’Day pitched the 7th inning last night, picking up his 6th hold of the year.  He now has a 2.97 ERA and has been pitching in higher-leverage spots than Matt Lindstrom as of late.  Hierarchy change: Darren O’Day to 2nd in line, replacing Matt Lindstrom. |Closer |Set-Up…

  • John Axford likely returning to closer role; Francisco Cordero could lose job

    July 26, 2012 Houston Astros – Francisco Cordero blew his second save in two days, making him 0/2 since joining the Astros.  After the game, Brad Mills did not say he was removing Cordero from the closer role, only saying that Cordero would not close on Thursday because he’d thrown a lot of pitches over…

  • Francisco Rodriguez blows another save, paving way for John Axford’s return

    July 25, 2012 Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez just blew his second save in three days, prompting manager Ron Roenicke to say about the closer role: “We’ll talk about it… Tomorrow, we’ll see what we’re going to do.”  While Roenicke wasn’t entirely committal, many Brewers beat writers have already predicted that John Axford, who threw…