Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 15, 2008
Cursed Pen

Jose Valverde, in just his third save opportunity, blows his second of the year. Shaun Chacon pitches an eight inning shutout, allowing just four hits and two walks to the Phillies, all the hits singles. It's the easiest save situation there is, as Valverde enters the ninth with a three-run lead. But Chris Snelling who homers every 37 at bats, leads off with a dinger. Three batters later, Burrell smacks a two-run homer to tie the game.

The next batter, Jenkins, strikes out, but reaches first on a passed ball. That brings up Pedro Feliz who doubles in Jenkins with the winning run.

That was an ugly loss for Houston. They won't get many performances like that from Chacon, and to waste one is just a shame. I don't know why, but the Astros just can't seem to find a closer.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:41 PM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Apparently Pujols hit that slider so hard it didn't just steal Lidge's soul, but cursed anyone who pitches a Houston ninth.

Posted by: dan at April 15, 2008 09:56 PM

They had one, but are incapable of patience or rational analysis. In fact, they still have one. All I can hope is that the owners in my fantasy league are as incompetent as the Astros front office, so I can pick up Valverde on the cheap.

Posted by: Mike at April 15, 2008 11:21 PM

I was really confused looking at valverde's line -- 0.1 IP, 2K's.

I figured it had to be the strikeout/pass ball sort of thing, but how often does THAT happen?

Posted by: Sal Paradise at April 16, 2008 12:04 AM

I like that Jose Valverde for Chad Qualls/Chris Burke/Juan Gutierrez deal more and more every time I see Valverde pitch. That's why the D-backs front office thought he peaked last year and didn't want to pony up big bucks for him...

Posted by: DbacksBuzz at April 16, 2008 01:11 AM

I detect a pattern in Valverde's ERAs...

2003 2.15
2004 4.25
2005 2.44
2006 5.84
2007 2.66
2008 11.37

He's just an odd-year kind of guy.

Posted by: Casey Abell at April 16, 2008 08:05 AM

Maybe Cecil Cooper should throw a temper tantrum and make Roy Oswalt the closer.

Posted by: MH at April 16, 2008 09:52 AM
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