Seattle Mariners closer Brandon League is on something of an historical run. But not the good kind.
After opening the season brilliantly -- League converted his first nine save opportunities, and posted a 2.08 ERA through his first 14 appearances -- he's now taken the loss in four straight outings, including three spectacular blown saves. The latest fiasco was Friday night, when League entered blew a 4-2 lead over the Indians, capped by Travis Hafner's walk-off home run.
According to manager Eric Wedge, though, "Brandon League is still our closer."
Wedge does have other options, as David Pauley (1.16 ERA) and veteran Jamey Wright (1.96) have both pitched well this spring. Wright is probably going to get the ninth-inning call Saturday, but there's nothing in his long career to suggest he's actually better than a healthy Brandon League. Which goes for everyone else in Seattle's bullpen. With David Aardsma out of action indefinitely, League almost certainly should still be the Mariners' closer, as long as his heart and head are still there.