Another night, another messy Papelbon save.

[MaineDolFan]

Almost as if on cue to support my opinion that Papelbon is a good pitcher and not elite.  He came into the game last night sporting a two run lead against the AAA Oakland A's.

With the tying run on second and the go ahead run on 1st, Papelbon notched the save.  After allowing a run to make the game 5-4, giving up two more hits and walking yet another batter. 

2 hits, 1 walk, a run.  In one inning.  Against the A's, for God's sake. 

Closers are a dime a dozen, they literally come out of nowhere and then fade back to where they have come.  Sometimes they go on to start and do well.  Look at Derek Lowe.  With Bard on the horizon it might be time to start thinking about switching the amazing four pitch Papelbon back into the rotation. 

And this guy wants to be paid as the top closer in the game?

[Sunstroke]

I think Papelbon is an outstanding closer who sometimes trips on his own head... Francisco Liriano is another outstanding pitcher who does the same thing. You just wish they could keep that shit straight between the ears so we could consistently see them pitch to their max potential.

[Sunstroke]

I swear, Maine...I tried to text you last night when Paps had the bases loaded and full count in the 9th. I had "Now we're having fun!" on my screen...and then I accidentally cleared it before it could go out.

[bsfins]

I caught the live break in lastnight on MLB network with the Bases loaded....My fantasty team had Jones on third,and Markakis on second I'm thinking come on one bad pitch,one bad pitch gets me two more runs...Scott,and Mora down swinging....

[SportsChick]

I was watching it at Ale House saying "yet another eventful Papelbon outing"

[MaineDolFan]

It's frustrating.

The one key thing though is that the guy is talented enough to get out of a bases loaded jam with no outs.  Just wish he wouldn't load them in the first place!

[BingeBag]

It's not nice to screw up my win when I have the bright idea of spot starting Bucholtz this week.

[MaineDolFan]

Hey...imagine that!

Another blown save by Papelbon.  And people around the country think this guy is great?

Before ANYONE says a thing about the two throwing errors, let me cut you off at the pass:

Papelbon started the inning by issuing a walk.  He then allowed a double, which scored the runner he walked, and closed the gap to a two run lead.  BOTH throwing errors the runner would have reached safely anyway.  BOTH runners ended up stealing 2nd or 3rd, Papelbon didn't even make ONE THROW to attempt to hold the runner.  THREE stolen bases on one inning is unacceptable, he didn't even GLANCE at the men on base.

Two outs, two run lead and facing a rookie looking for his first big league hit.  Papelbon folded like a chair.  Against the freaking A's?

Grrrr.

Daniel Bard time, baby.  It's Daniel Bard time.

[SportsChick]

My bio-dad and I were talking yesterday and said the only guy that the Jays would want for Doc that is off-limits is Bard.

[Sunstroke]

Hey...imagine that!

Another blown save by Papelbon.  And people around the country think this guy is great?

Send him down here...the Marlins will give you Leo Nunez straight up.

[Fau Teixeira]

if papelbon had a better defense behind him .. like the marlins for example .. he might have held on to the save

[Sunstroke]

Priceless...

[MaineDolFan]

if papelbon had a better defense behind him .. like the marlins for example .. he might have held on to the save

I didn't realize the Marlins defense was so great that they are able to take away basehits?  Even if Green's throws on both plays were spot on there is the little matter of the runner's foot hitting the bag two steps ahead of where the throw is.

That said - last night is a classic example of EXACTLY what I've been saying.  Make a couple sloppy plays and Papelbon can't hold his shit together.  Two run lead.  Two outs.  Rookie batter at the plate with a 1-2 count...and you blow the save?

[MaineDolFan]

Nick Green really needs to go.  A high school short stop knows better to do what he did.  TWO TIMES!  You aren't going to make that throw, Nick.  And the guy running down the base path is the fastest guy on the A's squad.

You gobble that ball up and hold the runner on at 3rd.  And then you hope your elite, world beating, greatest closer of all time can nail down one more out with runners on 1st and 3rd.

[Sunstroke]

At least the blame is being pointed at the right player now... How dare Nick Green trash Pap's stat line!