Yesterday, Bobby Jenks blew his second game in four games. His ERA is now up to 5.09 and his WHIP is at 1.585. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen reported that he will be going with a closer by committee with Matt Thornton and JJ Putz expected to receive the majority of the save opportunities.
So, what has happened to Bobby Jenks in his blown games this season?
May 9 @ Toronto Blue Jays
0.0 IP / 3 Runs / 4 Hits / 1 HR / 0 Walks / 0 Ks
The White Sox came into the top of the 9th inning, up 5-7. Jenks was set to face the 8-9-1 hitters for the Toronto Blue Jays. On Jenks’ first offering, Travis Snider (105 career OPS+) hit a Ground-rule double to left center. Joe Buck (89 OPS+) followed with a single to right to put runners at first and third with 0 outs. Fred Lewis (105 OPS+) then hit a 3 run home run to give the Blue Jays a 8-7 lead. Jenks would face one more batter and give up another single to Aaron Hill (99 OPS+).
July 18 @ Minnesota Twins
0.0 IP / 4 Runs (3 Earned) / 2 Hits / 0 HR / 2 Walks / 0 Ks
In the finale of a four game set, Chicago was looking for a split with a 6-3 lead coming into the top of the 9th inning. Jenks was facing the 2-3-4 hitters and promptly walked the first two batters, Orlando Hudson (100 OPS+) & Joe Mauer (134 OPS+). Jason Kubel (113 OPS+) followed with a run scoring single to center. The next batter, Michael Cuddyer (110 OPS+), did the same thing and brought the game to 6-5. Jenks was replaced by Sergio Santos who gave up another Walk and a game winning single, plus a throwing error that was charged to Alex Rios. Jenks was charged with three of the runs.
July 21 @ Seattle Mariners
0.1 IP / 2 Runs / 3 Hits / 0 HR / 0 Walks / 0 Ks
Chicago was going for a sweep of the Mariners and found themselves ahead by one, going into the bottom of the 11th inning. Once again, Jenks was facing the 9-1-2 hitters. He gave up a bunt single to Jack Wilson (78 OPS+). Ichiro Suzuki (117 OPS+) followed with a bunt sacrifice, putting the runner in scoring position. Chone Figgins (96 OPS+) hit a single to center field that put runners on the corners with only one out. Figgins then stole 2nd, eliminating the double play. Against Franklin Gutierrez (95 OPS+), Jenks gave up another single to center field that scored the tying and winning runs.
If you remove those three games from Jenks’ season totals this year, he ends up with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Still not stellar numbers, but serviceable. Outside of Mauer, most of the damage done against Jenks is performed by league average hitters. The biggest problem seems to be that Jenks has been unable to strike out any batters in the above meltdowns. He has only had control issues in one of the games. It appears that Jenks has been very hittable in this appearances and the opposition has made him pay by going back up the middle with hits to center field.
I don’t believe that Jenks is a useless reliever, but with Thornton & Putz pitching so well – it makes sense to give them more opportunities to close. It looks like Jenks has had a couple of bad outings that might have something to do with just bad BABIP luck. Even if he’s now only the third best reliever out of the bullpen, Jenks can still be a useful part of a Chicago White Sox playoff run.
