Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Retired firefighter who broke color barrier among those being honored
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Two blowouts, one night
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Singletary update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Bowling season starts today
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Betancourt's struggles put others in line for saves until Borowski returns
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Saturday, May 17, 2008
CINCINNATI: Most teams are fortunate to have one closer. As of Friday, the Indians had four.
That is not to say the Tribe bullpen is overflowing with an embarrassment of riches. Interim closer Rafael Betancourt struggled in his past two outings, failing to hold a tie in the 10th inning Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays and being removed after loading the bases with one out in a save situation Thursday against the Oakland Athletics.
That got the attention of manager Eric Wedge, who decided to make a change.
''I'm looking at it like we have four guys that I'm comfortable with in the eighth and ninth innings,'' he said. ''It will depend on how each guy matches up and their availability. I'm not saying somebody is or somebody isn't (the closer).''
Pitchers who will work in the eighth and ninth innings are Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez, Masa Kobayashi and Betancourt.
Even though Wedge isn't giving him the job, Kobayashi has two saves in the past four days, and he is the pitcher the manager summoned Thursday to rescue Betancourt. After throwing a wild pitch that scored a run, Kobayashi struck out the next two batters to end the game.
''I talked to Betancourt today and told him what I'm seeing,'' Wedge said. ''I haven't seen him command his fastball like he usually does. I haven't seen the consistency this year that he had in the past.''
Wedge can afford to spread the saves wealth around if he chooses, because when Joe Borowski recovers from a strained triceps, he will get back his job as closer. Borowski might be activated as early as the middle of next week.
''I think the worst thing I could do is anoint somebody one day later (after Betancourt's bad outing),'' Wedge said. ''You need more to work with than that. Joe will be back sooner or later, so this is a window — hopefully a short window.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
CINCINNATI: Most teams are fortunate to have one closer. As of Friday, the Indians had four.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
