Jim Johnson blew nine saves for the Orioles last season. The O’s finished 6.5 games back in the Wild Card race.
Sure, plenty of things lead to team’s records, but there’s no question that JJ’s struggles last season contributed mightily to the Birds’ 85-77 record in 2013. A year later, a different guy in the ninth later, the Orioles are faced with similar problems.
Tommy Hunter just blew his third save of the season in a gut wrenching 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Hunter’s ERA has ballooned to 6.60 and he’s allowing almost two base runners per inning.
Not pretty.
After the game, Buck Showalter wouldn’t answer directly whether he would remove Hunter from the ninth. He told reporters that he’ll make adjusted if they’re needed to stay competitive.
Fair enough. I think they are.
Buck explained it as a “robbing Peter to pay Paul scenario.” He couldn’t be more right about that. Many want to see Zach Britton take over the ninth, but he’s finally in a groove in his role. I would hate to mess with ZB’s mojo. Darren O’Day struggles against lefties, Brian Matusz struggles against righties, Ryan Webb hasn’t had much experience in that role, Preston Guilmet just got sent down.
They all have their flaws. All I know is, I wouldn’t let Hunter work out his issues in the ninth. Not after watching Johnson do that last year.
Last night may have been his best opportunity for a 1-2-3 save against the bottom of a lineup that had done nothing all night. He clearly isn’t ready to be a closer. I said the other day that Hunter has some time to get it together. But after seeing that in person last night, it’s time for a change. But change to who? Maybe instead of trading Patton, give him a go as closer. It’s a long shot. But like you said, everyone but Tommy seems to have found their role in this bullpen. Maybe it’s worth a shot. Or they can just keep sending out what they have and hope for the best.
My vote is Miguel Gonzalez. I’ll write more about why later today.
Nice. My friend suggested the same thing. Can’t wait to read about it.
Hunter has to take a little mental break. Go “closer by committee” for a while and then see where it goes. But right now, Hunter needs to go on a little hiatus.
BTW – Fernando Rodney blew his 2nd last night, so it doesn’t just happen in our backyard.
Balfour has been bad too. JJ? Everything knows his story.
my question is why over the last two games cant anyone hit behind the runner to move the runner from 2nd base to 3rd! its simple part of baseball and a must when your not scoring a lot of runs. Pop ups! every time!
Balfour had one bad inning in which he gave up 5 runs, but he’s been decent otherwise.
Two bad innings now, my friend.
MGW shilling for “Small-MArket Peter” again. Say some truth about a beloved ORIOLE player and MGW brings up a player on another team. I would LAY dollar to domino that he is on Petey A’s payroll because MGW cannot bear to hear a discouraging word about anything Orioles. You comment on everything. Do you not have a life or does Petey A. keep you busy cleaning the clubhouse commodes so that he can save money on hiring real help?
Phil, look I’m sorry you still live in your mom’s house and haven’t had a date in 5 years, but read my comments a little more carefully, will you. I’m not shilling for anyone and actually said that the Orioles should sit Hunter down for a while. I also was stating that the ownership was not going to put out the money for Johnson, Jimenez, and Cruz, but somehow your feeble little brain somehow deduced that was representing an endorsement of ownership to not spend money.
When I point out what’s going on with other teams outside of your little life in Anne Arundel County, it simply to show there’s a great big world out there and that the things that happen with this team, also happen to other teams, too. Broaden your horizons, get out of that dark place you’re in and see the world, troll.
Hunter should be left in for the time. He has 11 saves, tied for the AL lead, blown two saves, same as Rodney. Nobody else in the bullpen has closer stuff so don’t jump off the wagon just yet.
Tommy Hunter is the poster boy for why the save is an overblown statistic. Yes, he has 11. But he could very easily have a lot less. He has been more lucky than good in every outing. He has not had a 3 up 3 down inning. He seems to give up at least a run every outing. He’s been hanging on by a thread all season and it has all fallen apart. I don’t think jumping off the wagon is totally unreasonable.
Should have re-signed F-Rod….
Maybe but he was mediocre at best when he played in b-more. Who goes in if Hunter comes out? If you do it by committee, who is the committee?
ODay, Gonzo and Britton. Three different styles, three different options for Buck as you know he loves his matchups.
They should give the role to Britton and never look back. He’s their Mariano at this point, so they should roll with him. And for Showalter to say such a scenario would be “robbing Peter to pay Paul” demonstrates he has no clue what he’s talking about. Because, if Hunter gives up 3 runs in the 6th inning, the team still has a chance to make it up and get those runs back by the 9th. But when you’ve got closers blowing leads in the 9th, you’re screwed. You’ve only got 3 outs left to win the game… if you’re at home. But if you’re on the road, that’s it. It’s over. And that’s why you need your best bullpen arm shutting the door in the 9th instead of the 7th or 8th. Baseball 101.