White Sox reliever Zach Putnam recorded two saves this weekend, but only the first was conventional. He struck out two in a perfect ninth inning against the Astros Friday.
Manager Robin Ventura handed the ball to Jake Petricka in the ninth inning of a one-run game Saturday, but after he put two on, Ventura turned to Putnam, who struck out Jason Castro to end the game.
Ventura wouldn't commit to a single closer after the game, but Saturday wasn't the first time Petricka faltered in a high-leverage situation this month. His poor outing July 9 contributed to a come-from-behind win for the Red Sox. Ventura did say he prefers Putnam against left-handed batters, which would support a platoon, but I get the sense Putnam is beginning to distinguish himself.
As I wrote in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog breaking down the more questionable closer situations in baseball, he's the reliever to own for the White Sox right now.