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Brandon League barely hanging on to his job; Heath Bell blows a save
May 13, 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers – Brandon League entered Sunday’s game with the Dodgers up by four, and promptly allowed two runs to score before nailing down the final out. His ERA climbed to 6.28...
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Andrew Bailey back with Boston, while the heat goes up on Jim Johnson
May 21, 2013 Boston Red Sox – Andrew Bailey was reactivated in time for Monday’s loss to the White Sox. Although he will return to the closer’s seat immediately, John Farrell is likely to limit his...
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Scott Barnes, Robert Coello earn first career saves
May 24, 2013 Cleveland Indians – Scott Barnes picked up his first career save on Thursday, a three-inning effort that closed out an Indians blowout. He does not factor in to Cleveland’s usual...
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Vinnie Pestano likely to see save chances if Chris Perez’s injury is serious
May 26, 2013 Cleveland Indians – Chris Perez left Sunday’s game early, favoring his arm after throwing a pitch. The Indians went on to lose after Joe Smith gave up the game-winning hit on the next...
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Fujikawa injured, Perez on DL
May 27, 2013 Chicago Cubs – Kyuji Fujikawa left yesterday’s game with a right forearm strain. It sounds similar to the injury he suffered earlier this season and he is likely to return to the DL....
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Pestano the official Indians closer; Kintzler a solid #2 in Milwaukee
May 28, 2013 Cleveland Indians – As we predicted, Terry Francona has given Vinnie Pestano the closer’s mantle in Chris Perez’s absence, insisting that the righthander’s recent drop in velocity is...
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Steve Delabar could be closing soon for the Blue Jays
May 29, 2013 Toronto Blue Jays – With Darren Oliver on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, Steve Delabar has ascended to the setup role in the threadbare Jays bullpen. Right behind him is an...
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Jose Valverde reaching end of his rope; Kelvin Herrera’s struggles continue
June 20, 2013 Kansas City Royals – Kelvin Herrera took an ugly loss on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, he was sent out to pitch the 7th inning of a game the Royals were losing. He didn’t have a great...
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Heath Bell blows save, Mike Adams is back on the DL
June 23, 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks - Heath Bell blew another save last night, and he has given up a homerun in his last five appearances. When Kirk Gibson was asked about Bell continuing to close he...
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Machi sent down, but Santiago Casilla may return soon; another Papel-blown save
June 25, 2013 San Francisco Giants – After a four-run, two-homer appearance on Sunday, Jean Machi was demoted to AAA Fresno. George Kontos took his place with the Giants and will slide right into...
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Someone needs to stop Brandon League; Marmol and Herrera disappear
June 26, 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers – As predicted, the Dodgers gave Kenley Jansen the night off and went to Brandon League with a three-run lead in the ninth — but League gave up three straight hits to...
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Chris Perez returns; Astros giving Jose Cisnero a bigger role
June 27, 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates – After a taxing outing on Sunday, Jason Grilli has gotten a few days off. On Wednesday, Mark Melancon pitched the 9th inning in his stead. So far, there’s no...
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Vinnie Pestano moved out of setup role; Matt Thornton facing extra pressure?
July 9, 2013 Cleveland Indians – Vinnie Pestano’s failure to thrive after returning from an elbow injury has finally resulted in his demotion from the 8th inning role. Terry Francona says that Joe...
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Grab Bastardo while you can; Casilla struggles in high-A rehab
July 10, 2013 Philadelphia Phillies – As predicted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Antonio Bastardo earned his second save of the year on Tuesday, allowing Jonathan Papelbon some much-needed rest....
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Ernesto Frieri is getting worse; a parting gift from Kevin Gregg
July 31, 2013 Los Angeles Angels – In a wild game characterized by awful relief by both teams, Ernesto Frieri blew another save. Frieri has retired only 6 of the last 20 batters he’s faced, and...
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Steve Delabar hits DL; Kintzler, Smith seeing bigger innings
August 5, 2013 Milwaukee Brewers – Just a week ago, John Axford was being mentioned by Ron Roenicke as a possible part-time closer, but after a dominant stretch, the beleaguered righty has now given up...
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Jim Johnson is back on the Hot Seat
August 15, 2013 Baltimore Orioles – Jim Johnson blew his third straight save and ninth of the year on Wednesday. Even before the game, the Baltimore Sun was asking its readers whether Johnson should be...
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Bryan Shaw moving up in Cleveland, and welcome back, Brian Wilson!
August 20, 2013 Cleveland Indians – Bryan Shaw finished the seventh to pick up his ninth hold of the year, and third in his last eight appearances. Cody Allen, on the other hand, has only one hold in...
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Jason Grilli back with Pittsburgh; Jordan Walden out another week
September 4, 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates – Nearly eight years ago, Jason Grilli pitched 7.2 solid innings to lead the Toledo Mud Hens to their first AAA championship in 38 years. But his dream of...
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Edward Mujica continues to struggle
September 21, 2013 St. Louis Cardinals – Edward Mujica started the 9th inning last night with a 2 run lead. He proceeded to give up 3 hits and a walk, while only recording one out. The Cardinals...
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