Closer Monkey

Tag: Junichi Tazawa

  • Bo Schultz, Tom Wilhelmsen pick up first saves; Koji Uehara on trade block

    July 24, 2015 Toronto Blue Jays — As predicted in our Vulture Save Watch, Roberto Osuna didn’t get the save opportunity on Thursday. Instead, that honor went to Bo Schultz, who got the final two outs for his first career save after R.A. Dickey tossed the first 8 1/3 innings for the win. Schultz has pitched well…

  • Where does Rafael Soriano fit in to the Cubs bullpen?

    July 20, 2015 Kansas City Royals – In perhaps the most unlikely save of 2015, Joe Blanton got the last three outs of a 3-run Royals victory on Sunday. Save for Blanton, virtually the entire Kansas City bullpen had pitched on both Friday and Saturday, and rather than make someone go three straight, Ned Yost…

  • A farewell to (both) arms: Pat Venditte hits the DL

    June 13, 2015 Oakland Athletics — Nothing (green and) gold can stay. Switch-pitching Pat Venditte, who started his career with 5.2 scoreless innings, became the latest Oakland player to hit the disabled list, with a frayed right labrum. And no, everyone, he can’t just pitch with his left arm, not if he wants his shoulder…

  • Rafael Soriano signs with Cubs; another save for Carson Smith

    June 10, 2015 Miami Marlins — Mike Dunn pitched the 8th inning ahead of AJ Ramos in a one-run game. Ramos couldn’t hold on to the lead, giving up a two-run walkoff bomb. Ramos has pitched well enough since taking over the closer’s role, but Dunn seems to have worked his way back into the late-inning mix,…

  • Pat Venditte makes his major league debut; Fernando Rodney falls again

    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…