Alfredo Simon stinks

[UMDTerrapins]

I don't think we will see him any longer in that role. I believe Buck has seen enough.

I think you're right.

[dhaze]

At least let Koji start the 9th. 13 of 16 pitches for strikes! 6 straight retired! I hate the concept of a 'closer'. It's terrible.

[AgentOrange]

At least let Koji start the 9th. 13 of 16 pitches for strikes! 6 straight retired! I hate the concept of a 'closer'. It's terrible.

I don't think that is why he didn't come out. That is a lot of pitching for Koji.

[UMDTerrapins]

Ladies and gents......your new closer. Nice job by MG.

[Birds of B'more]

Ladies and gents......your new closer. Nice job by MG.

If so, it's about damn time!

[now]

Yeah, I was actually surprised to see Buck go to Simon again. I thought he would be bold/original enough in this case to go direct to Gonzalez. Oh, well, next time...

The stats they gave in the booth for Simon over the last few appearances (I forget how many) were shockingly bad: 7+ ERA, .390+ OBP, etc.

[Old#5fan]

I think our best closer pitched the 7th and 8th.

Same here. I was hoping Buck would let him pitch the 9th as well. I have as much confidence in Simon as I did Jorge Julio in a one run game which is nada.

[AgentOrange]

I think our best closer pitched the 7th and 8th.

No way. Gonzo > Koji

[Steve I]

Time ot give Gonzo a shot, another brick in the wall. Simon is walled in

[LookitsPuck]

I'm hoping that this is the last time we see Simon in any close game situation. Ever again. He's worse than George Sherrill. Good grief.

[crowmst3k!]

I still think Koji should have been rewarded with a save attempt. He was septic tank filthy.

[slappy12]

By being hurt Hernandez misses golden opportunity!!

[ccbird]

Obviously, he hasn't been pitching well and Showalter doesn't have much confidence in him. It's why Gonzalez was up so quick and ultimately replaced him in the 9th. That said, he was also 2 for 2 under Buck heading into tonight. I think that counted for something even though Buck marches to his own tune and said a few days ago he didn't have a set closer. Simon was going to get most of the chances until he failed. I think Buck will continue to mix and match but ultimately Gonzalez will get the majority of the save opps the rest of the year.

[ChrisAF79]

By being hurt Hernandez misses golden opportunity!!

Is that you, David?

[Mackus]

I think that counted for something even though Buck marches to his own tune and said a few days ago he didn't have a set closer.

When did he say this? I know after the first game he said something like he "knows the save rule and doesn't really care for it", but I hadn't heard him saying he doesn't have a set closer. I think he does have a set closer, or at least did until Simon has coughed up a gopher ball in each of his last two opportunities. I just think Buck might be the type of manager that doesn't automatically go to his set closer to start the 9th inning every single time it is a save situation, or if he does, doesn't give him as much rope every time out as some other guys get.

Simon is our 3rd or 4th best bullpen arm at best. He's done decently as our closer, but I think its apparent that guys like Hernandez, Koji, Gonzalez, and maybe even Berken and Johnson are more effective than him. I do think he can be a guy that we're happy to have around in the pen, but I don't think he's going to be a major impact guy in the bullpen. He's like a slightly better Jorge Julio, which isn't a bad thing, but its not a great thing either.