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September 9, 2007 Chicago White Sox Bobby Jenks still Closer Matt Thornton to 1st in line in place of Mike MacDougal Mike MacDougal to 2nd in line in place of Matt Thornton Thornton struck out 3 of the 4 final batters of a 8-7 game yesterday for his second save of the season. Jenks was rested after throwing 40 pitches over the previous 2 days. The 30-year-old Thornton has a 1.51 WHIP in 51 IP on the season with 48 K and 17 holds. The left hander has a better opposition OPS versus right hand hitters .768 than left hand hitters .860. The 30-year-old MacDougal has continued his inconsistent season after a stint in the minors with a 7.07 second half ERA in 14 IP. The former Royals' closer has a 1.96 WHIP on the season in 35+ IP. September 8, 2007 Texas Rangers Joaquin Benoit to Co-Closer C.J. Wilson to Co-Closer Frank Francisco still 2nd in line Benoit got the final 2 outs in a 5-3 game for his fourth save of the season last night. Wilson pitched out of an 8th inning bases loaded jam, then was pulled in the 9th after allowing a run on 2 hits with 2 right hander hitters due up. This was Benoit's second save this week as he appears to have moved in a co-closers role with Wilson, if not more. The 30-year-old Benoit 1.08 WHIP in 74 IP on the season with 80 K and has been scored upon in just 1 of his past 17 appearances. September 6, 2007 Texas Rangers C.J. Wilson still Closer Joaquin Benoit still 1st in line Frank Francisco still 2nd in line Benoit pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 3-2 game yesterday for his third save of the season. Wilson was rested after recording saves on 3 of the previous 4 days while throwing 61 pitches. The 30-year-old Benoit has a 1.09 WHIP in 73+ IP with 80 K and 18 holds. The hard throwing right hander remains the firm next in line closer for the Rangers. Wilson is a perfect 11 for 11 in save chances since Eric Gagne was traded, but has allowed runs in each of his past 3 save outings. September 4, 2007 Houston Astros Brad Lidge still Closer Chad Qualls still 1st in line Trever Miller still 2nd in line Qualls got the final 2 outs in a 8-7 game yesterday for his fourth save of the season; 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K. Lidge was going to be called on for a 2 inning save but had to leave with a knee injury after pitching a scoreless 8th inning; 1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K. The veteran Lidge revealed earlier in the season that he will have off season surgery on the troublesome knee. The 29-year-old Qualls has a 1.31 WHIP in 72+ IP on the season with 72 K and 18 holds. September 3, 2007 Toronto Blue Jays Jeremy Accardo still Closer Casey Janssen still 1st in line Jason Frasor still 2nd in line Janssen pitched a perfect, 1 strikeout 9th in a 6-4 game yesterday for his 5th save of the season. Accardo was rested after recording saves each of the previous 2 days while throwing 33 pitches. This was Janssen's second spot save in the past week, as he further secures the next in line closer spot with the Jays. The 25-year-old Janssen has a 1.14 WHIP on the season in 66 IP with 34 K and 23 holds. New York Mets Billy Wagner still Closer Aaron Heilman still 1st in line Jorge Sosa to 2nd in line in place of Guillermo Mota Sosa pitched a perfect, 2 strikeout 7th inning for his 6th hold of the season yesterday. The 30-year-old veteran has secured a setup role with the Mets after failing as a starting pitcher earlier in the season. Sosa has a 1.24 WHIP in 21 relief IP with 14 K and 6 holds. Mota has been inconsistent this year after coming back from his streoid suspension. The 34-year-old veteran has a 6.13 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 47 IP on the season with just 5 holds. San Francisco Giants Brad Hennessey still Closer Brian Wilson still 1st in line Tyler Walker to 2nd in line in place of Randy Messenger DL Walker had his third scoreless outing yesterday since being recalled from the minors; 3 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K with 1 hold. The 31-year-old veteran had Tommy John surgery last year after posting 10 saves with the D'Rays. Walker recorded 23 saves two years ago for the Giants while posting a 1.54 WHIP. Messenger remains on the DL after breaking his non pitching hand after a frustrating outing. The 26-year-old has a 1.38 WHIP in 34+ IP with 18 K and 5 holds since coming over to SF from Florida. Closer Watch Blog Archive: Week 22 2007 Week 21 2007 Week 20 2007 Week 19 2007 Week 18 2007 Week 17 2007 Week 16 2007 Week 15 2007 Week 14 2007 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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