J.J.

Putz

He will finish this campaign as the team’s closer, but with Eddie Guardado under contract, he will be expected to fill the set up role next year. “We’re finding out that J.J. has done a decent job closing games this year. Will he pitch in that role next year? I would say probably not. But if you can close, you can set up”, said manager Bob Melvin.

Putz struck out three of the four batters he faced, including Barry Bonds on a splitter to end the game. There’s just no way Eddie Guardado is getting his old job back.

This after Eddie Guardado gave up a homer to lefty Jason Kubel and a single to Joe Mauer without retiring anyone in the eight. Putz’s closer role is getting more secure.

The door may now be open for Eddie Guardado to move back into the closer’s role, even though Putz had been flawless until tonight. It’s not that Putz deserves to be moved, but the assumption is that manager Mike Hargrove is looking for an excuse to give Guardado another chance.

Manager Mike Hargrove didn’t let Tuesday’s poor outing from Putz become an excuse to get Eddie Guardado back into the closer’s role. The Mariners likely will go back to the lefty at some point, but Putz is the man for now.

He recorded four outs, but got some help when Magglio Ordonez got gunned down trying to advance to second on a wild throw after an infield single. Putz is the fifth Mariner to reach 30 saves, and if you’re seeking to impress your co-workers with this factoid, the other four are Kaz Sasaki, Eddie Guardado, Mike Schooler and Jose Mesa.

It wasn’t necessarily his finest work as he allowed a Pablo Sandoval RBI double cutting the lead to one before he escaped danger. Putz has always been a top tier closer when he’s healthy, and 2012 should be no different.

Putz has always been one of the most dominating closers in the league and as long as he’s healthy he should be exactly the same in 2012.

It was the first save of Shaw’s career, as he surrendered a hit and fanned one. The former second round pick is not expected to get many more save opportunities, but is off to a solid start after last year’s breakthrough season.

Putz gave up a solo homer with one out to Juan Francisco, but quickly shut the door on Jack Wilson and Jason Heyward. Putz is now 5-for-6 on save chances this season and his 5.40 ERA is really just a product of one bad outing in Colorado.