The Braves blow another one...

For the second time in a week, Atlanta Braves' closer Bob Wickman blew a save opportunity Sunday. The Braves led Florida 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning a few days ago. Starter Tim Hudson dominated through eight innings, but fell on some rough times in the 9th, as he loaded the bases with nobody out, when Wickman was called in to pitch. All three of Hudson's runners came around to score and Wickman allowed another, the game winner, to complete the dynamic duo of a blown save and a loss. He struggled in Friday night's game against Colorado, almost blowing a save, before Colyer and Moylan came in to bail out the closer. Then, on Sunday, Atlanta led the Rockies 7-5 going to the bottom of the ninth inning. Wickman walked the bases loaded and gave up two runs, before Bobby Cox yanked him in favor of Tyler Yates. Atlanta wound up losing 9-7 in extra innings.

For his career and especially during his short tenure in Atlanta, Wickman has been a very steady and reliable closer. One thing that separated Wickman from Atlanta's previous closers last year was the fact he threw strikes. Rarely, did he walk anybody. Right now, the guy is having problems throwing strikes. A stat read across the screen in yesterday's game that Wickman had walked 4 of the last 8 betters he faced. I'd like to believe it's just a short slump for the closer, but am slightly worried that it's injury-related. The only positive, if that was to occur, would be the fact that Atlanta has other relievers with closing experience, such as Mike Gonzales.

I don't know what the ordeal is, but the Braves lost two games this past week that they had through eight innings and blew. While the season is still in the early stages, the early games matter just as much as the late ones and whenever the Bravos blow these games, it makes me wonder if any/all of them will cost them in the end. I hope Wickman gets back on track, but if he doesn't and I was Bobby Cox, I wouldn't hesitate to switch he and Gonzales in their roles. We shall wait and see.