Posted July 24, 200321 yr Notes: Looper OK after outing By Charles Odum / Special to MLB.com ATLANTA -- Manager Jack McKeon said one bad outing does not leave Braden Looper in danger of losing his job as the team's closer. Looper blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning of Wednesday night's 12-inning, 5-4 win over the Braves. "After one isolated case? No," McKeon said when asked if he would bump Looper to a setup role and make Ugueth Urbina the closer. Since Urbina was acquired in a trade this month, he has served as Looper's setup man. Looper (4-2, 2.77 ERA) has converted 17 of 21 save opportunities. He struck out the side in the 10th inning after giving up three runs in the ninth to blow a 4-1 lead. On Thursday, Looper blamed the bad outing on poor mechanics which affected his control. "I felt like I made the adjustment, but it was too late to get the save," Looper said. "It was really no excuse. I came out and was wild. You can't do that." Looper admits that since the July 11 arrival of Urbina from Texas, the idea of losing his job as the team's closer "has crossed my mind." "It's only human to think that," Looper said. "This is really the first bad outing I've had this year. ... It's not fun to have an outing like that, but I'm ready to go." Added Looper: "I didn't want to be the setup guy. I want to stay closing." No red light for Pudge: McKeon was not second-guessing the decision by catcher Ivan Rodriguez to try to steal third base in the eighth inning Wednesday night. Rodriguez was thrown out. TV cameras showed an obviously displeased McKeon having an animated conversation with third base coach Ozzie Guillen after the inning. "Put it this way: We talked about it," McKeon said. Still, McKeon defended the right of Rodriguez to run. "If they run and I don't like it, it's still my fault because I didn't put the red light on," McKeon said. "They have the green light. They run on their own." McKeon simply would prefer to see his baserunners exercise good judgment. "Sometimes you don't want to take the bats out of the big guy," he said. Star power: Before Thursday's game, McKeon enjoyed watching his grandson, Avery, playing catch with pitcher Dontrelle Willis. Said McKeon: "He's everybody's hero. Even my wife wants his autograph." Left out: Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth was held out Wednesday night due to a stiff back but was available to play Thursday. Miguel Cabrera started in left field for the second straight day and hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, his fifth of the year and his first since July 5. Charles Odum is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
July 25, 200321 yr while Harold Reynolds went way overboard with it this afternoon (suprise, suprise), I think its a valid point that hes latched onto, why go get Urbina to setup for Looper? Whos the proven better closer? Why worry about hurting peoples feeling or confidence, lets win games now.
July 25, 200321 yr Author while Harold Reynolds went way overboard with it this afternoon (suprise, suprise), I think its a valid point that hes latched onto, why go get Urbina to setup for Looper? Whos the proven better closer? Why worry about hurting peoples feeling or confidence, lets win games now. amen
July 25, 200321 yr how many blown saves does Loop have? 4.... and it may not be worth much but we have won 3 of those games he blew.... he has a good 2.75era... give him another chance
July 25, 200321 yr while Harold Reynolds went way overboard with it this afternoon (suprise, suprise), I think its a valid point that hes latched onto, why go get Urbina to setup for Looper? Whos the proven better closer? Why worry about hurting peoples feeling or confidence, lets win games now. Plus, the set-up guy can go 2 innings. The closer can too, but I'd rather get two innings from Uggy than Loop...
July 25, 200321 yr Well if Urbina is the better closer then it'll be his job soon. If Looper can't hold the job, he loses it, plain and simple. Don't you think the coaches are aware of what's going on? Looper has held the job since the halfway point last year and he's done fine. If he blows 2 or 3 games, they'll turn to Urbina.
July 25, 200321 yr Author Well if Urbina is the better closer then it'll be his job soon. If Looper can't hold the job, he loses it, plain and simple. Don't you think the coaches are aware of what's going on? Looper has held the job since the halfway point last year and he's done fine. If he blows 2 or 3 games, they'll turn to Urbina. That is a big risk, to wait 2 or 3 games. Maybe 1 or 2 but no more than that. We are in contention, we need to be solid. If we have the AL saves leader in Urbina, why not close with him? Looper is not pitching very well as of late and we need to win now!
July 25, 200321 yr Time will tell whos gonna be our closer, for now its loop...but he better not screw up. and if,or when he does Urbina is there waiting forr the chance.
July 25, 200321 yr Time will tell whos gonna be our closer, for now its loop...but he better not screw up. and if,or when he does Urbina is there waiting forr the chance. If Loop fails....Urbina doesnt need a chance...He'll just become the closer, He's already proven himself
July 25, 200321 yr you all want Uggy, and even though he is proven, his era is pretty freakin high I dont think everybody wants Uggy...It's just Loopers scaring the royal crap outta everyone... It's good to know we have a Proven Closer to back him up He got his ERA down to 3.86 now from 4.19...but Loops is much lower..your right it is high :mischief2 how is Uggy dominating on our team....but with Texas has an 0-4 record, it's probably a simple answer i cant figure out...can someone help me?
July 25, 200321 yr these players havent seen him that much? i guess, maybe i just hope the 2nd or 3rd time he faces National League Teams outta the pen, He doesnt get Lit up. :mischief2
July 25, 200321 yr When with the expos for 6 years, when he was a reliever he had only one winning season...and didnt seem "in control"
July 25, 200321 yr He used to play for the expos remember? So thats not the answer. he hasnt been in the NL in 2 or 3 years though
July 25, 200321 yr Author ballpark in arlington lcastillo, the best hitter's park in the AL and second best in the Majors according to studies by MLB. Behind Coor's Field in the way the ball travels.
July 25, 200321 yr Still hitters now what to expect from him. Castillo what do you mean? Urbina went two years straight without blowing a save with the expos.
July 25, 200321 yr Still hitters now what to expect from him. Castillo what do you mean? Urbina went two years straight without blowing a save with the expos. I was talking Wins and losses... but that doesnt matter...forget what i said but there is between his last year with the spos' and now a whole lot more dangerous hitter in the NL... Pujols etc.
July 25, 200321 yr Author Urbina's Career Home Ballparks Olympic Stadium = Neutral Fenway Park = Hitter's Park Ballpark in Arlington = Hitter's Park Pro Player Stadium = Pitcher's Park
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