masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThere are many things to like about Buck Showalter in his short time as O’s manager.

Among them, right now, is the fact that he has not labeled anyone as the Orioles closer.

It’s been frustrating at times this year when the O’s seemed to use a pitcher in the ninth, because he had the label as “closer.”

With Alfredo Simon’s recent struggles, that job is open again and if Showalter is in no hurry for one man to claim it, or get that title, that’s fine with me.

Let him go to the player…There are many things to like about Buck Showalter in his short time as O’s manager.

Among them, right now, is the fact that he has not labeled anyone as the Orioles closer.

It’s been frustrating at times this year when the O’s seemed to use a pitcher in the ninth, because he had the label as “closer.”

With Alfredo Simon’s recent struggles, that job is open again and if Showalter is in no hurry for one man to claim it, or get that title, that’s fine with me.

Let him go to the player that is right for the job on that day. Maybe one game it’s someone pitching two innings for the save or coming in to get one last out. If the pitcher who works the 8th looks real strong that day, maybe that pitcher should work the ninth.

Makes sense to me.

Closer by committee. No defined closer. I’m OK with that.

By the way, Koji Uehara picked up his first Major League save in Saturday’s win. He got overshadowed by Josh Bell, but he threw another scoreless outing out there.

Koji said he was not expecting to get that save chance but “I have the experience in Japan, so I didn’t feel like it was something different.

“The fact that I am able to get a save here, in the United States, I am really happy.”

Does the closer’s role suit Koji?

“I am more concentrated focusing on the results rather than the role,” he said.

Koji is 1-0, 1.73 on the year with just five walks and 29 strikeouts over 26 innings. He has put together eight straight scoreless outings and has allowed just 1 ER over 18 innings in his last 15 games since July 9th.