Closer Monkey

Tag: Francisco Rodriguez

  • Will Smith picks up another save in the volatile Giants bullpen

    July 2, 2018 San Francisco Giants — On Sunday, the Giants used Sam Dyson in the seventh, Tony Watson in the eighth, and then turned to Mark Melancon with a four-run lead in the ninth. Melancon retired the first two guys, but then gave up three straight singles, so it was Will Smith earning his…

  • The Nationals are ever more desperate for a closer

    July 15, 2017 Washington Nationals — When Matt Albers loaded the bases in the ninth inning with a five-run lead, it gave Matt Grace a chance to earn his first career save. Albers’s struggles highlight Washington’s continuing weakness in the bullpen, which we expect to be addressed through trade in the next two weeks. K-Rod,…

  • David Hernandez gets most recent 9th for Angels; K-Rod signs with Nats

    June 27, 2017 Washington Nationals – The Nationals made a low-risk and potentially high-reward signing on Sunday, adding Francisco Rodriguez on a minor league contract. No word on whether they used the donations they received from this fan’s obituary. Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Romero | Turner. * = closer-by-committee Los Angeles Angels – Cam Bedrosian…

  • The Orioles bullpen is slowly getting back to full strength

    June 24, 2017 Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day returned from the DL with a scoreless eighth inning in a blowout loss. The Orioles need bullpen reinforcements badly, and O’Day should immediately return to his setup role behind Brad Brach. Zach Britton pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab relief assignment and looks to be on track…

  • K-Rod complains about role, gets high-leverage chance, blows it

    June 16, 2017 Detroit Tigers – This week, manager Brad Ausmus declared he would try former closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage situations again after he complained a bunch. Ausmus wasn’t lying, as it was 3-2 in the eighth inning when K-Rod came trotting out to the hill. He picked up another blown save (his sixth)…