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Moriarty9 · 06-08-2008, 08:25 AM

Misch out as BoSox closer
Kuo to take ball in ninth
Friday, May 27, 2011

BOSTON - Patrick Misch has lost his job as Red Sox closer after his third blown save of the season, second of the week.
Misch, a 29-year-old lefty, started the season strong, recording seven saves and posting a 1.32 ERA through May 11. Since then, however, he has gone 0-3, converting one out of three save opportunities and putting up a bloated 32.40 ERA in six appearances. As a result, Misch's season ERA is now up to 7.38 in 17 games.
In his place is fellow lefty Hong-Chih Kuo, a 29-year-old Taiwanese hurler. Kuo has gone 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 games, saving three games in four opportunities this year. A former closer with the St. Louis Cardinals (31 saves in 2005, 30 saves in 2009), the Asian import owns a 20-17 record with 82 saves and a 2.93 ERA in 380 lifetime appearances out of the bullpen. He went 4-0 with 6 saves and a 1.52 ERA in 50 games with Boston last season.
Although the move has been made, Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said Misch could return as closer later in the season.
"Given Pat's track record, we're most definitely not ready to close the book on him as a closer. Not remotely," Kennedy said. "He's going through a rough patch right now so we hope he'll be able to work through it as a set-up man for the time being while we ride the hot hand in Kuo as closer."
Misch said he was disappointed in the change but understood the decision.
"This team has great depth so when someone isn't doing their job, there's someone right there, ready to go and step up," Misch said. "H.C. knows how to close, B.J. [Ryan] knows how to close, [Manuel] Corp[as] knows how to close, and [Jonathan] Papelbon would probably be given that role on most other teams. Lately, I haven't done my job so they're gonna give it to someone else. It's a business, a performance-based business, so I understand."

06-08-2008, 08:25 AM	#111 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 502	Closer no more Misch out as BoSox closer Kuo to take ball in ninth Friday, May 27, 2011 BOSTON - Patrick Misch has lost his job as Red Sox closer after his third blown save of the season, second of the week. Misch, a 29-year-old lefty, started the season strong, recording seven saves and posting a 1.32 ERA through May 11. Since then, however, he has gone 0-3, converting one out of three save opportunities and putting up a bloated 32.40 ERA in six appearances. As a result, Misch's season ERA is now up to 7.38 in 17 games. In his place is fellow lefty Hong-Chih Kuo, a 29-year-old Taiwanese hurler. Kuo has gone 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 16 games, saving three games in four opportunities this year. A former closer with the St. Louis Cardinals (31 saves in 2005, 30 saves in 2009), the Asian import owns a 20-17 record with 82 saves and a 2.93 ERA in 380 lifetime appearances out of the bullpen. He went 4-0 with 6 saves and a 1.52 ERA in 50 games with Boston last season. Although the move has been made, Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy said Misch could return as closer later in the season. "Given Pat's track record, we're most definitely not ready to close the book on him as a closer. Not remotely," Kennedy said. "He's going through a rough patch right now so we hope he'll be able to work through it as a set-up man for the time being while we ride the hot hand in Kuo as closer." Misch said he was disappointed in the change but understood the decision. "This team has great depth so when someone isn't doing their job, there's someone right there, ready to go and step up," Misch said. "H.C. knows how to close, B.J. [Ryan] knows how to close, [Manuel] Corp[as] knows how to close, and [Jonathan] Papelbon would probably be given that role on most other teams. Lately, I haven't done my job so they're gonna give it to someone else. It's a business, a performance-based business, so I understand."