Following Fernando Rodney's fifth blown save and second in as many appearances Saturday against the Yankees, no one would blame Rays manager Joe Maddon for looking toward alternative options to close out games. However, it's a thought that hasn't even crossed Maddon's mind.
Maddon reiterated after Saturday's 11-inning loss that Rodney will remain the team's closer.
"I'm not going to run away from guys when they are struggling a little bit and I don't think he's struggling a lot," Maddon said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "It's a little bit."
Rodney is 0-1 with two saves, three blown saves and a 13.50 ERA in his last five appearances (4 2/3 innings). He's had trouble with walks in 2013, issuing 18 in 19 1/3 innings. His struggles are baffling to Maddon.
"It's really almost incredible to think that is our problem right now," Maddon said of losing ninth-inning leads. "Because that would be the one thing that I thought would have been our strong point at the beginning of the season."