Javy Guerra, Dodgers' semi-closer, gets job for now
When is a closer not really a closer? When he is called your "semi-closer," apparently.
Meet Javy Guerra, the Dodgers' semi-closer.
That was as far as Manager Don Mattingly was ready to go last week when asked if the 25-year-old rookie, who had never pitched above double A until he was called up last month, had unexpectedly emerged as his closer.
But with the game on the line as the Dodgers clung to a 1-0 lead against the Houston Astros on Sunday, it was again Guerra who got the call. And who delivered.
Three ground balls later, the Dodgers had ended a five-game losing streak and Guerra had earned his second save.
Guerra has risen to his semi-closer role largely because of desperation. Injuries to Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, Vicente Padilla and Kenley Jansen led to Guerra's opportunity. Somebody had to take on the role.
"Broxton is the closer," Guerra said. "I don't think there's a question about it. The roles we've been thrown in, it's whatever is asked of you every night out. We've all just collectively gone out there and tried to finish up ballgames."
"He's had success," Mattingly said. "That's the biggest thing. I don't really want to anoint him. He's been doing the job and that's the guy we've been going to.
"If our situation changes a little bit, you don't want him to be down in the sense he's lost a job."
Guerra, just getting his first look at the majors, is not about to worry about any particular designation.
"As of now, every time the [bullpen] phone rings I just assume it's probably for me," he said. "I just get up for every occasion and tend to just go from there."
Gurrera is not a classic, blow-it-by-you closer. In his 13 1/3 innings, Guerra has seven strikeouts, but only four walks.
"Right now I want three outs, and really the saves he's gotten haven't been like nail-biters," Mattingly said. "They're kind of like one-two-threes for the most part. He's really not walking people in those situations, he's making them swing the bat.
"And Javy has weapons. He's got a quick arm, he has a good slider, he's got a cutter he throws 95, 96 [mph]. He's a tough pick-up."
And that's no semi-compliment.
-- Steve Dilbeck
Photo: Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Javy Guerra (54) celebrates after getting the last out on the Houston Astros during the 9thinning of a game on Sunday. Credit: Alex Gallardo / AP
Having a semi-closer is apropos seeing as how most of the team is semi-pro.
Posted by: Labeldude | 06/20/2011 at 07:47 AM
"As of now" - guerra
- i.e., until he's not as every pitcher - relief or starter, moreso an closer... as broxton was until no longer effective (ditto for troncoso, jansen and ely like every other who shall follow.)
Upshot? Closer by committee... pull 'em now or pull 'em later.
The dudgers have only 16 total saves on the season, mainly attributable to their mediocre team but also a reflection their 5 blown saves, and at least w more would have been sans tony gwyn''s gymnastics in LF.
For comparison, 14 of 16 NL teams have 'a' closer, main men with double - digit saves (examples SF's Wilson & COL's Street with 20 each - NL's best. Other teams that follow suit being - CHC, PHL, ARZ, NY, SD, MIL, PIT, ATL, WAS, CIN, FLO and STL.
The only 2 NL teams with multi-9th inning men are HOU - who has only two pitchers with saves - and the dudgers, who have seven 'closers' as such.
In essence, what the dudgers are having is a season-long open tryout...
Posted by: 16blows | 06/20/2011 at 09:50 AM
I'll take whoever this dude is over Broxton, that's for sure.
Posted by: FormerLifelongDodgerFan | 06/20/2011 at 11:13 AM
Awwww Shucks.....perhaps I should sign Lenny Dykstra to play.....
Posted by: "Small Market" McCourt | 06/20/2011 at 12:05 PM
I really like this Guerra Kid.....especially if he'll play for free!!!!.......
Posted by: "Small Market" McCourt | 06/20/2011 at 01:08 PM
Labeldude, now that is some rapier wit.
Posted by: HI Dodger Fan | 06/20/2011 at 01:37 PM
Labeldude, now that is some rapier wit.
Posted by: HI Dodger Fan | 06/20/2011 at 01:37 PM
Let the kid pitch. Why not? Broxton can't get anybody out. You don't have to be a fireballer to be effective. Remember Ron Perranoski & Phil Regan?
They did it with sinkers. Saito threw more first pitch strikes than anybody I can remember.
Posted by: Matt Gaffney | 06/20/2011 at 02:31 PM
Thank you HI - I took a stab at it. :)
Posted by: Labeldude | 06/20/2011 at 02:58 PM
Wow, I bet you guys are the type to kick small puppies too.
Posted by: AB | 06/21/2011 at 07:37 AM