Extra innings stress bullpen
Three extra-inning games in three nights can have an impact on a bullpen.
"That's the one thing we have in common; the bullpen is strained for all three staffs in (AL West) contention," pitching coach Bryan Price said.
Setup relievers such as Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes ? critical bridges to get to closer Kazu Sasaki ? have been used extensively the past few games. This weekend, relievers not used as often, such as James Baldwin and John Halama, will be thrown into shorter relief roles.
"You might think that 80 percent of Jeff Nelson is better than most, but if you never rest him, the bottom line is you have an 80 percent, then a 60 percent, then a 50 percent," Price said. "To me, that's not fair to the players, the team and all the other guys who are down there (in the bullpen) who are at 100 percent and need to contribute if you give them a chance."
Price said at this time of the season with this much at stake, the pitchers will be used longer and more frequently but he said "they must be given a realistic chance to do their job."
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i wouldn't think sasaki and hawagewsa(sp) would go tonight off usage, lefty creek is ok....
