Jason

Motte

He struck out two. Motte has earned six saves and a win in his last seven appearances. He’s allowed just one earned run in 28 innings since the All-Star break.

Arthur Rhodes replaced Motte and proceeded to give up a single to Chase Utley. So manager Tony La Russa turned to Octavio Dotel, who earned his third save of the season. The critical win brings the Cardinals within 2 1/2 games of the Braves in the National League Wild Card race. This was the second straight disappointing outing for Motte. Don’t be surprised if La Russa uses all relief weapons at his disposal during this final playoff push.

Motte allowed a single to Jose Reyes to open the bottom of the ninth, but he got Emilio Bonifacio to ground out then fanned both Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo Stanton. The hard-throwing closer is off to a great start.

This isn’t really news, in that Motte was essentially a lock for the job barring a horrific spring or injury, but the public proclamation has to be good for Motte to hear. Tony La Russa only officially proclaimed Motte as the club’s stopper after Game 7 of the World Series -- and TLR retired the next day. Motte held a 2.25 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 2011 while striking out nearly a batter per inning, posting a 63/16 K/BB ratio in 68 innings. He has a chance to be one of the better fantasy closers in the NL in 2012.

Motte struck out Alfonso Soriano to start the inning but lost a 14-pitch battle with Bryan LaHair when he finally walked him. He then walked Geovany Soto on four pitches before eventually allowing a walk-off, two-run single to Joe Mather on a two-strike pitch. It was a puzzling pitch selection at the end, as Mather has a big swing, yet Motte attacked him with cutters rather than his blazing fastball. The Cards closer will be fine, though.

Motte only needed 10 pitches to get the job done, making quick work of the heart of the Reds lineup. He’s one of the finest young closers in the game and looks very secure in his role at the end of the Cardinals bullpen.

Motte allowed a walk but easily escaped the inning unscathed. He’s been very impressive in the early going on the season and is a solid bet to finish as one of the league’s top closers by season’s end.

Just in case there was any doubt. Former manager Tony La Russa refused to call Motte his closer down the stretch last year even though he consistently went to him in the ninth inning, but Matheny had no problems tabbing the righty as his stopper during the Cardinals Caravan stop in Springfield, Mo. Motte held a 2.25 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 2011 while striking out nearly a batter per inning. He has a chance to be one of the better fantasy closers in the NL.

The Cardinals’ ninth-inning man requested $2.4 million and was offered $1.4 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last week. The two sides were quickly able to find a middle ground. Motte posted a 2.25 ERA and 63/16 K/BB ratio in 68 innings last season.

Motte is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason after posting a 2.25 ERA, nine saves and a 63/16 K/BB ratio over 68 innings in 2011. Assuming they avoid an arbitration hearing, his salary will likely be somewhere around $2 million this season.