September 14, 2013
Oakland A’s – Ryan Cook came on with 2 outs in the 8th inning last night and proceeded to give up a walk and two hits while recording no outs. Sean Doolittle got the last out of the 8th and stayed on for the 9th to pick up his 2nd save of the season. Grant Balfour admitted recently that his arm is tired so Doolittle and Cook could see a few more save chances down the stretch. Hierarchy change: Sean Doolittle to Set-up, Ryan Cook to 2nd in line.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| OAK | Grant Balfour | Sean Doolittle | Ryan Cook | Ryan Cook | 9/14/13 |
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Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli blew a one run lead in the 7th inning last night. He has now given up at least one run in his last three appearances and if he continues to pitch like this, Mark Melancon should continue as closer for the rest of the season. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| PIT | Mark Melancon | Jason Grilli | Kyle Farnsworth | Jason Grilli | 9/14/13 |
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Boston Red Sox – Although it wasn’t a save opportunity on Friday night, the Red Sox used Koji Uehara in the 9th. All Uehara did was pitch another perfect inning, and he has now gotten out the last 37 batters he has faced. The MLB record for most consecutive perfect innings is 15.0 and now Uehara is three perfect innings away from breaking that record. No hierarchy change.
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| BOS | Koji Uehara | Craig Breslow | Junichi Tazawa | Koji Uehara | 9/14/13 |
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VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joel Peralta, Tampa Bay Rays — Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.
2. Sean Doolittle/Ryan Cook, Oakland A’s — Grant Balfour has a tired arm so Doolittle or Cook could be used on any night.
