July 5, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays — Yesterday it was Jake McGee’s turn again in the Rays’ committee and he didn’t disappoint, pitching a scoreless 9th for his 4th save of the season. However, the most important work out of the bullpen came from Brad Boxberger. Boxberger, who picked up the save on Wednesday, came on with the bases loaded and nobody out in the 6th inning. He was able to limit the damage to one run by getting a double play and a strikeout. Boxberger came back out for the 7th and struck out 2 batters in a perfect inning of work. This is still very much a committee, and Joel Peralta pitched a scoreless 8th yesterday so it is hard to put Boxberger on the hierarchy yet, but with 51 Ks in 33.1 innings, he could move ahead of Balfour and Peralta as the primary righty in the committee if he continues to pitch well.
Hierarchy remains: McGee | Balfour | Peralta.
Houston Astros – Josh Fields was activated from the DL yesterday and immediately used in a big spot in the 7th inning. He gave up a hit to the first batter, which allowed an inherited runner to score and tie the game, but he struck out the next four batters he faced. Fields was pitching well before his injury and his strikeout potential (41 Ks in 28.2 innings) makes him a good candidate for high-leverage spots in the later innings.
Updated hierarchy: Qualls | Sipp | Fields.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Jason Grilli, Los Angeles Angels – Joe Smith has pitched in 2 straight and 3 of the last 4.
2. Joel Peralta/Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays – McGee got the save last night so it could be Peralta or Balfour today.
