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Sunday, July 8, 2007 Colorado Rockies Manny Corpas still Closer Jorge Julio still 1st in line Brian Fuentes still 2nd in line Corpas struck out the side last night in a 6-3 game to record his first career save. The 24-year-old right hander could secure the Rockies' closer role with continued success in the role following Fuentes' demotion. Corpas has a 1.19 WHIP in 43 IP with 33 K on the season. San Francisco Giants Brad Hennessey still Closer Randy Messenger still 1st in line Kevin Correia still 2nd in line Hennessey pitched a scoreless inning, (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K), for his 5th save of the year yesterday, after getting pulled from a save opportunity the night before. The 27-year-old right hander has a 1.18 WHIP in 36+ IP with 23 K on the season. Messenger set Hennessey up with a scoreless 8th yesterday, (1 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K), to further secure his next in line closer status. The 25-year-old Messenger has a 1.36 WHIP in 42+ IP with 22 K and 9 holds on the season. Saturday, July 7, 2007 San Francisco Giants Brad Hennessey still Closer Randy Messenger to 1st in line in place of Kevin Correia Kevin Correia to 2nd in line in place of Randy Messenger Hennessey was pulled from a save opportunity last night giving up 2 runs while getting 2 outs. Messenger came on for the final out to record his first career save in a 4-3 final. The 27-year-old Hennessey has been inconsistent since becoming the Giants' closer following the Armando Benitez deal. Hennessey has allowed 8 runs in 13 IP since the trade and is 2 for 3 in save chances. With improved consistency, the hard throwing Messenger could get the opportunity to supplant Hennessey as the Giants' closer. The 25-year-old former Marlin has a 1.18 WHIP in 13 IP since coming over from Florida with 10 K and 2 holds. Minnesota Twins Joe Nathan still Closer Pat Neshek to 1st in line in place of Juan Rincon Juan Rincon to 2nd in line in place of Pat Neshek Neshek is putting up dominant numbers in a setup role this year with a 0.73 WHIP in 41+ IP with 51 K and 8 holds. Manager Ron Gardenhire talked about the 26-year-old's future closer value earlier this week. Rincon has been inconsistent this year with a 1.67 WHIP and 4.30 ERA in 29+ IP with 24 K and 8 holds. Thursday, July 5, 2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Gary Glover to Closer in place of Al Reyes Brian Stokes still 1st in line Al Reyes DL to 2nd in line in place of Gary Glover Reyes has been placed on the DL with a shoulder injury. The D'Rays don't believe the injury is serious, however it is a strained rotator cuff. Tampa Bay is short on closer options after Reyes. Manager Joe Maddon planned to use Glover as his closer if needed yesterday. The 30-year-old journeyman has a 1.48 WHIP and 5.36 ERA in 42 IP with 24 K and 5 holds on the season. Baltimore Orioles Chris Ray still Closer Paul Shuey still 1st in line Danys Baez DL to 2nd in line in place of Scott Williamson Williamson has been designated for assignment. The 31-year-old veteran had a 1.40 WHIP and 4.40 ERA in 14+ IP. Baez could be back from the DL (forearm) after the all-star break barring any setbacks on an upcoming minor league rehab. Boston Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon still Closer Hideki Okajima still 1st in line Manny Delcarmen to 2nd in line in place of Mike Timlin Delcarmen has pitched well since being recalled from AAA with scoreless outings in 6 of 7 appearances. The 25-year-old righthander has a 0.96 WHIP in 8+ IP on the season with 6 K and 4 holds. The 41-year-old Timlin has struggled this year with a 1.50 WHIP and 5.59 ERA in 19+ IP with 10 K and just 2 holds Tuesday, July 3, 2007 Houston Astros Dan Wheeler still Closer Chad Qualls still 1st line Brad Lidge DL still 2nd in line Trever Miller got the final 2 outs in a 7-5 last night for his first save of the season. Wheeler created the save opportunity giving up 2 ninth inning runs. The 29-year-old Wheeler continues to struggle with his ERA up to 6.28 with 19 runs allowed on 22 hits over his past 15 IP. Lidge is due back from the DL (oblique) later this week and should move right back in to the closers' role with Wheeler imploding. The 34-year-old Miller has bad numbers on the season with a 2.05 WHIP and 7.29 ERA in 21 IP with 9 holds. The left hander has been equally ineffective versus left hander hitters and right this year with an opposition OPS over .900 against both. Colorado Rockies Manny Corpas to Closer in place of Jorge Julio Jorge Julio to 1st in line in place of Manny Corpas Brian Fuentes still 2nd in line Corpas pitched a scoreless 9th in a non save 4 run win last night; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Julio gave up two 8th inning runs in front of Corpas. It appears Corpas and not Julio is the lead for saves during Fuentes' demotion. The 24-year-old Corpas has a 1.24 WHIP in 41 IP with 30 K and 16 holds on the season. The hard throwing right hander has been scored on in just 1 of his past 13 appearances. Oakland A's Alan Embree still Closer Santiago Casilla still 1st in line Huston Street DL to 2nd in line in place of Justin Duchscherer DL Duchscherer will now have hip surgery and is out for the season. Street has begun to throw again (elbow) and could be back in late July or early August barring no setbacks. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 13 2007 Week 12 2007 Week 11 2007 Week 10 2007 Week 9 2007 Week 8 2007 Week 7 2007 Week 6 2007 Week 5 2007 Week 4 2007 Week 3 2007 Week 2 2007 Week 1 2007 Spring Training 2007 Vol II Spring Training 2007 Vol I December 2006 October 2006 2006 Season |
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