Jose Valverde

KIDDING! (Seriously, I wish all the best to Iron Mike).

In another corner you have Astros closer Jose Valverde, who closed out the game last night with a shaky ninth--giving up four hits and two earned runs for his 15th save of the season. Valverde now has a season ERA of 4.15 and is starting to show vast improvement over his slow start.

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Houston’s relievers (including Jose Valverde) combined for four innings pitched, giving up only one hit, no runs and striking out three. What’s more, Astros pitchers today didn’t walk a single batter. 

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ll so far, lasted three innings and got shelled for 10 hits, six runs (five earned) and a home run. Jose Valverde, who had been the Astros closer, went out and essentially pitched batting practice in the eighth inning: two hits, two earned runs and a home run. He has an ERA of 12.27. Of course, considering the score had been 8-2 when Valverde took the mound, he was essentially a mop-up pitcher today. 

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So, what’s the bad news? The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Closer Jose Valverde gave up four runs in the ninth inning while getting only one out as the Phillies beat the Astros 4-3. It was Valverde’s second blown save of the season. In the inning, two of the hits he gave up were home runs. The other hit was a walk-off double. It’s interesting to note that Valverde actually had two strikeouts in the inning, but the second was on a passed ball that allowed what turned out to be the winning run to be safe at first. 

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ke a move to help the rotation.  The bullpen is also pretty thin but has a very good closer in Jose Valverde.  I didn’t think this team had anything but today when I looked at the roster the talent on this team surprised me.  I am just telling you, in a very bad division this team, granted they stay healthy, could make some noise.

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