San Diego Closer Brad Hand Blows Save in First Opportunity of Season
7 years agoThe Milwaukee Brewers put together a five-run ninth inning off Padres closer Brad Hand to get the win and start the season 2-0. Hand entered in the top of the ninth with a three-run lead, but allowed the first four batters of the inning to reach base — three on singles and one on a throwing error by Hand. The inning was capped off by a game-winning three-run home run to left field by Ryan Braun. Hand's final line had him allowing five runs — two earned — on four hits with one strikeout. For now this is unlikely to unseat Hand from the closer role, but he won't be given much leeway if he has another performance like this, and the Padres currently have Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen and Kazuhisa Makita waiting in the wings to potentially take over as closer.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com