Ambiorix

Burgos

Burgos hadn’t given up more than one run in an appearance in close to two months, so this isn’t going to jeopardize his status as the closer. However, if he goes into a two- or three-week slump, it looks like Joe Nelson currently has to be considered the fallback option for saves.

He surrendered homers to Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer to tie the game. Burgos had a great seven-week run to make the Royals more comfortable about trading Mike MacDougal, but he’s now turned in back-to-back ugly outings, leaving him with 10 blown saves and a 5.64 ERA. If this continues, the Royals will probably try Joe Nelson as a closer.

Burgos had to protect a one-run lead with Vladimir Guerrero up to start the inning, so it was a tough assignment, especially after Guerrero started the inning by lining a single on what was a very good splitter. Fortunately for the Royals, Adam Kennedy followed that up with two awful bunt attempts and a weak swing at strike three. After a wild pitch and a walk to Mike Napoli, Darin Erstad grounded into a double play to end it.

Burgos gave up a leadoff single and then threw a wild pitch, but he retired three of the next four hitters he faced, with only Toby Hall reaching on a walk. He’s thrown back-to-back scoreless innings since giving up three runs on Wednesday. Since he has now pitched on three straight days, someone else in the Kansas City pen might get a save chance on Saturday.

Burgos never did a thing to earn back the closer’s role in Kansas City, and he belongs in Triple-A with the way he’s throwing right now. He deserves the blame for the pitches he threw tonight, but Buddy Bell is the real culprit for putting him into the situation in the first plate.

Elmer Dessens was credited with the victory after working scoreless eighth and ninth innings. It was the first time in five appearances since May 18 that Burgos didn’t give up at least one run. He seems to be back in the closer’s role for the Royals, but he remains a risky play.

Burgos entered with a three-run lead to start the ninth. He got Jason Kendall to fly out, but he then gave up a homer to Nick Swisher and a single to Mark Kotsay. Eric Chavez grounded into a double play to end it. If Burgos is back in the closer’s role, it would be despite a 15.12 ERA in his last seven appearances. He should probably be in Triple-A right now. Use him at your own risk.

Burgos was lifted from the closer’s role despite working scoreless innings in four of his previous five appearances. He’ll likely get a chance to reclaim the job with a couple of weeks of effectiveness, but he’s not worth having active in fantasy leagues right now.

What was the point of removing Burgos from the closer’s role if he was just going to be brought in to blow leads earlier in the game? Burgos has allowed 13 runs over his last six appearances. It would be no surprise to see him sent down soon.

Burgos had converted six straight save chances, so his job is safe threw the All-Star break. Mike MacDougal (shoulder) should be ready to challenge him before the end of the month.