According to the Bible, the meek are supposed to inherit the earth. But it doesn’t say anything in there about the ninth inning of a close ballgame.
Embattled Pirates closer Octavio Dotel(notes) got a vote of confidence Thursday from manager John Russell, and Dotel also got the night off at Los Angeles. Dotel could use the rest: he’s allowed 14 hits and 13 runs over his last six appearances, pushing his ERA up to 10.61. Some of the damage occurred in non-critical spots and Dotel only has two blown saves on the year, but that’s no just excuse – despite a zesty 12 strikeouts on his resume, he’s been a mess over the last two weeks.
Of course if you ask Dotel, those non-save appearances shouldn’t be held against him.
"I understand that I have to get my work done, but I’ll be honest, I hate that," Dotel said. "I don’t have the same intensity. I don’t have the same adrenaline. I don’t have the same feeling for the game. I shouldn’t be that way because it is my job. I’ve got to come and do my job."
If and when Russell decides he wants to do something about the struggling Dotel, Evan Meek(notes) is ready in waiting. The unheralded Meek has been superb in 11 appearances this year (one run allowed over 15 innings), and Meek retired the Dodgers in order Thursday for his first save of the year. Casey Blake(notes) popped up, James Loney(notes) grounded out, Ronnie Belliard(notes) struck out, and no one made solid contact. Nice closing debut from someone who had six career saves entering the night – all in the minors.
At 6-0 and 225 pounds Meek doesn’t look imposing on the mound, but he’s got the other things you look for in a closer. He’s striking out a batter per inning – 15 whiffs in 15 frames. His average fastball this year checks in at 94.5 miles per hour. Meek’s control was an issue earlier in his career but he’s only walked four men this season. Home runs, no worries – he’s given up just five in 75 career innings (Dotel has already yielded three this year).
If you’re hedging against Dotel or just looking for another quality reliever and possible saver down the line, Meek is someone you want to audit Thursday night and Friday morning. While we’ll take Russell at his word and assume that Dotel will get the next Pirates save chance, closers don’t come with infinite leashes, especially closers on one-year contracts. Losing leads in the ninth inning has an emotional effect on a team. And it’s been three weeks since Dotel had a scoreless inning. Be proactive, gamers.
There’s your appetizer from the Thursday baseball schedule. I’ll be back a little later to finish this story, filling in another 1,000 words or so.