Time for a new closer?
Giving up 3 runs in the 9th inning to the Cincinnati Reds, Nationals closer Matt Capps has lost another game for Washington. That's three blows saves this week for Capps. To be fair, the five runs Capps gave up this week before today were all unearned, the result of allowing inherited runners to score. Nevertheless, he gave up two hits in the three previous games and three hits today.
This is not new. Capps was brilliant in April, giving up only two runs [1 earned] in 13 1/3 innings of work in the month. However, in May, Capps gave up 7 runs, all earned] in 11 innings. In June he has given up 8 runs, 3 earned, in 3 innings.
Should the Nationals turn to Drew Storen and let him close games? Could he do worse? Since his first appearance on May 17, Storen has given up two earned runs in 9 and 1/3 innings of work. This is his first season in the Majors and he won't turn 23 until August, but is it time for the Nationals to turn to Storen or should they ride it out with Capps, hoping he can regain his April form?
