Bobby Jenks Blows It Again; Sox Fall In Seattle

I have not watched a ton of baseball in 2010, but you already knew that. After all, it is summer, and TUP has had something like 130 straight posts on the winter-y Bulls. But the White Sox were in Seattle last night, and Pacific time zone just so happens to be my favorite time zone to watch a televised baseball game in. So: STREAK OVER. Sorry, Bulls. See you later today, probably.

But enough about me, let's make this about Bobby Jenks and how terrible he is at closing out major league baseball games. Because he is so terrible at doing that. At least in two of his last three appearances, he has been.

As you likely know by now, Jenks grabbed defeat out of victory's sure hands last night, giving up the win by surrendering a pair of runs to the Mariners in the bottom of the 11th inning. It was the first and only time Seattle scored all night.

This is troubling because a) Jenks pulled this same shit on Sunday against Minnesota, and b) if he closes out both of those games, the Sox are up 5.5 games in the division instead of just 2.5. But it's also troubling because of how it all went down.

The final blow was dealt by Franklin Gutierrez, a fine player, but one known for his highly evolved defensive work in center field rather than his altogether ordinary work at the plate. Jenks had him on a 2-2 count with runners at second and third. Do you know what this situation calls for? Yes, of course, this situation calls for a strikeout.

There was a time when this was no problemo for Bobby Jenks. He'd throw 98 MHP heat in your grill, or a curveball so curvy it would make The Last Airbender be like "yo, give me my curveball back". But in 2K10? Twist! Bobby Jenks doesn't have the stuff to miss bats anymore. And that is kind of sad.

This isn't to say that Jenks is a bad closer. He isn't, despite what you'll surely read/hear today. Yes, the ERA is north of four (five!), and that's no good, but before Sunday Jenks had blown only one save all season (and yes, I know: what happened Sunday in Minnesota didn't count as an official blown save for some reason. No need to call me out). He's really been kind of OK: no closer is going to save 1,000 percent of his opportunities, and 20-of-23 can hardly be considered super horrible.

With that being said, Bobby Jenks should absolutely, unquestionably lose his closer role. Like, right now.

On other teams, with other bullpens, I'd be totally cool with sticking with Jenks. The problem (alternative title: the good thing) with the Sox is that Jenks is far from their only option at the end of games. The Cheat tells me this morning that J.J. Putz just set the White Sox record for most consecutive scoreless appearances. Matt Thornton exists as well, a developing folk hero in dire need of all the high leverage situations he can get his hands on, if only for legacy's sake.

There are other options, you see, and the White Sox should go with one or both of them. Remember: the AL Central has been decided with a Game 163 each of the last two seasons. The Sox can't afford these blown saves.