May 3, 2012

Blown Save Confusion

This game summary of the 3-2 Marlins victory over the Giants says Heath Bell blew his fourth save:

The big, burly right-hander blew his fourth save of the season before Giancarlo Stanton homered in the 10th inning, lifting the Marlins to a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night.

Bell never recorded an out as San Francisco rallied from two runs down to force extra innings. After signing a $27 million, three-year contract in the offseason, the All-Star closer has been anything but sharp for the rebranded Marlins.

“It just is a tough call to any position. We spent a lot of money on this kid,” Guillen said. “I have to put my best guys out there and right now he’s not our best guy.”

According to the play by play, however, Bell did not blow the save. He faced three batters, but left with a 2-1 lead. While the tying run was charged to him, Steve Cishek was on the mound when the run scored, giving him the blown save. It doesn’t really matter, as Bell’s pitching deserved the criticism, but if Cishek prevents the run from scoring he would have gotten a save.

Barry Zito lost his control, walking seven Marlins in 3 2/3 innings. Miami only managed to convert two of those runners into runs, and one of those was unearned. Carlos Zambrano owns a 2.53 ERA after seven shutout innings, and so far he’s turning out to be a good acquisition.

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