The closer carousel, already in motion early this season, really took off on Wednesday with Brian Fuentes and Mike Gonzalez going to the DL, and Kevin Gregg getting named the primary closer over Jason Frasor with the Jays. Again, that there is flux among closer's isn't a surprise, it's more in how rapid those changes are occurring.
Notables:
- Chris Youngcontinued his hot start for the Diamondbacks, knocking in the game-winning run in the 11th inning to give him 14 RBI on the year.
- Gio Gonzalezis going through a lot right now - he lost one friend to a car accident two weeks ago, and then his girlfriend got into a significant car accident over the weekend and is now hospitalized. We tend to gloss over the personal lives of players unless they are in a scandal, but they frequently can have a tangible effect.
- There were only two extra-base hits in Wednesday's A's-Mariners game. You're going to want to stream pitchers against both of these teams. The likes of Dallas Braden, Doug Fister and Jason Vargashave all had very good starts in the eight games between the two teams the last two weeks.
- Javier Vazquezis already getting booed in New York. Hold grudges much, Yankees fans?
- Joel Pineirostruck out seven (tying his high from last season) and induced 12 ground balls.
- Dustin Pedroiahit his fourth homer of the year, and Jeremy Hermida, starting for Jacoby Ellsbury, hit a bases-clearing double.
- David Pricewas nasty again, striking out seven in seven innings. Carlos Penais off to a big start, with three homers and 10 RBI. Six of those came in consecutive at-bats on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Geovany Sotohit his first homer of the year.
- Jonathan SanchezK'd 11 Pirates.
- Colby Lewisstruck out 10 Indians over 5.1 innings, pitching in place of C.J. Wilson was scratched with food poisoning. Matt Harrison gets the start on Thursday, moving up one day and avoiding Yankee Stadium.
- Chris Iannettahad a badly needed big game, hitting the game-winning homer in extra innings. He still has defensive issues - the Mets were 3-for-3 on the basepaths and he had throwing error on the third. Don't look for the playing time battle between him Miguel Olivoto change based off of this game, but he needed that homer to help prevent his playing time from eroding further.
Save Chances:
- Joakim Soria, converted - 4-out save after walking the first batter that he faced. Two strikeouts. The Royals are off on Thursday.
- Fernando Rodney, converted. Rodney induced two pop-ups and a harmless flyball while sporting some funky facial hair.
- Chad Qualls, blown. Qualls gave up doubles to Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake to allow the Dodgers to tie the game.
- Burke Badenhop, converted. Leo Nunez had pitched the last three games, hence Badenhop getting the chance. He pitched two perfect innings, striking out two. Badenhop has been superb so far this season, allowing one run in eight innings with a 7:1 K:BB.
- David Aardsma, converted. 1-2-3 inning, one strikeout.
- Jonathan Papelbon, converted. Gave up two walks and Joe Mauer had a fairly hard-hit out to left field.
- Carlos Marmol, converted. Struck out the side again. When his control is on, he's as nasty as they get.
- LaTroy Hawkins, blown (8th inning). Hawkins gave up four runs to blow a three-run lead, preventing the game from ever getting to Trevor Hoffman.
- Neftali Feliz, converted. Four-out save - two strikeouts.
- Franklin Morales, blown. Morales allowed an unearned run in part due to catcher Chris Iannetta's throwing error. He did allow the leadoff hitter to get on, though. Rafael Betancourtallowed a run in the eighth, too. Meanwhile, Manny Corpas pitched the 10th but couldn't get out of it on his own, needing Randy Flores to get the last out, and thus costing him the win.
Other Closer Outings:
- Jonathan Broxtononce again had to pitch in a non-save situation, this time correctly in the 10th inning. He threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out 2. He's pitched two days in a row, but virtually the entire bullpen pitched on Wednesday, so he still might be forced to go on Thursday.
- Billy Wagnerthrew a "get work" inning, protecting a 6-1 lead. He walked two and struck out two in his first outing since blowing Friday's save chance.
Lineup-ology:
- Chris Coghlandidn't start because of a bruised left side, and frankly needed a night off after beginning the year 5-for-38. Brett Carroll came off the DL and promptly went 3-for-4 with a homer in his place, while batting out of the eighth slot. Cameron Maybin hit leadoff with Coghlan out.
- Jeff Mathishas started 7 of 9 games for the Angels. Yahoo's Andy Behrens just dropped Michael Napoli in Yahoo's Friends & Family Experts league (14-team mixed, one starting catcher).
- Randy Ruizgot his first start of the year on Wednesday, against lefty John Danks.
Tough Days:
- Hideki Matsuiis 0-for-9 against the Yankees so far, and struck out three times on Wednesday.
- I've long been a Sean Gallagherfan, but he's off to a really rough start this season, having allowed two soul-crushing homers already this season to put a close game out of reach, including yesterday's to Troy Glaus.
Late Injuries:
- Kelly Johnsonleft Wednesday night's game with back stiffness. Augie Ojedareplaced Johnson, and Tony Abreucould get playing time should this injury linger.
- Carlos Gonzalez(hamstring) and Brad Hawpe(quad) both sat out on Wednesday night, and CarGo looks close to going on the DL.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel:
- The Diamondbacks hitters last night had to face a progression of George Sherrill-to-Charlie Haeger-to-Jonathan Broxton, meaning that they pretty much had no chance against Broxton. Their reward for hanging in there and keeping the game tied was that they got Russ Ortiz after that, and they promptly scored twice to get the win. By the way, the game was played in a crisp 4:57.
Managing By the Save Rule
- Francisco Rodrigueznever got into the game in the Mets' extra-inning loss to the Rockies.
Pick Ups of the Day, If You Can:
- With CarGo headed to the DL, Ryan Spilborghsis going to get a lot more playing time, especially if Brad Hawpe's quad injury amounts to anything. He's gone in NL-only leagues, obviously, but probably available in mixed leagues if you act fast.
- LaTroy Hawkins' blow-up yesterday reminds us that he's struggled with closing in the past. So should something happen to Trevor Hoffman (and I think it will take a lot before he loses the job - either a string of bad outings or more likely an injury), I'd look for Todd Coffeyto close almost before Hawkins.