” A blown save (abbreviated BS or B) is charged to a pitcher who enters a game in a situation which permits him to earn a save (a save situation or save opportunity), but who instead allows the tying run to score. Note that if the tying run was scored by a runner who was already on base when the new pitcher entered the game, that new pitcher will be charged with a blown save even though the run will not be charged to the new pitcher, but rather to the pitcher who allowed that runner to reach base.” – compliments of Wikipedia.org
There are times throughout a season where a blown save may feel like it was the 20th blown save of the season. Even when you might exaggerate that number ever so slightly. Thursday night in Seattle, felt like one of those blown saves.
Bobby Jenks has come through for the White Sox a lot in the past … coming up with the big save when the game is close. After all, that is part of a closer’s job. There have been many games where the Sox have added a late run or two taking the game out of a save situation … thus leading Jenks to take a seat in the bullpen.
There’s nothing more disheartening to not only the team but to the fans as well, than a blown save. There have been closers for the Sox and other teams in baseball I think that should have had “B. Save” on the backs of their jerseys instead of their actual names. A blown save, especially with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, up 3-2 – after a stellar pitching performance that deserved a win. Even more crushing when the team you’re chasing, [Detroit], loses again for the seventh time in the last ten games, giving you a golden opportunity to gain ground. Not long ago the Sox were on the giving end of blowing a save in Minnesota, sending Joe Nathan to the bench to hang his face in his glove. How long have we been hoping for that to happen?
Forever.
As much as I think the Sox are out of it, they’re not. Not yet at least. They still have six games with Detroit. (3 in CHI, 3 in DET to close the season). Not to mention, they need A LOT of help. Both in-house and elsewhere in the American League Central.
You can argue some blown saves could have been avoided and might be a blown call by coaching staff judgment. I mean, John Danks was pitching a gem and exited after only 97 pitches in 8 innings. 97 pitches in a game the Sox needed to win, especially when earlier in the day the Tigers had lost again to the Royals. Couldn’t Ozzie just let Danks lead the 9th and perhaps see what happens? Up 3-1, and the first sign of trouble, go to the bullpen?
Hey, I guess we’ll never know.
Instead, Jenks serves up two solo HRs, ties the game and we head into the 14th inning. As Ozzie said after Thursday night’s game, “It was 2 1/2 hours of satisfaction and then 2 1/2 hours of [bad] baseball.”
Kinda sums up the season, doesn’t it?
Dan McGuinness 