April 29, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque struck out three more hitters on Sunday, and now has 21 Ks in just 11.2 innings to go along with a 1.54 ERA. It wasn’t a save/hold situation, as the Tigers were up five, but they still used Jose Valverde in the 9th inning, which by extension makes Alburquerque’s 8th inning appearance somewhat more meaningful. He’s now likely ahead of Phil Coke in the Detroit bullpen hierarchy; the veteran lefty has seen his ERA jump to 8.31 after a bad outing earlier this week. Hierarchy change: Al Albuerquerque to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.
|Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2014 Closer |UpdatedDET |Valverde |Benoit |Alburquerque|Rondon |4/29/13
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, San Diego Padres – Huston Street has pitched in three straight.
2. David Hernandez, Arizona Diamondbacks – JJ Putz has pitched in two straight and three of the last four.
