DETROIT – Fernando Rodney is perhaps baseball’s most famous escape artist, a closer known for pitching himself into stressful situations before, somehow, pitching his way out. The Diamondbacks witnessed that version of Rodney in the season’s first month, but they also experienced one that couldn’t wiggle out of the straightjacket.
But Rodney’s reputation has been taking a hit in recent weeks. The baserunners have vanished, as has the drama. He is just a run-of-the-mill closer these days – an especially good one, at that.
Rodney struck out the side in the ninth inning on Wednesday night, finishing off a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers, whom the Diamondbacks beat in consecutive one-run games to sweep this two-game series.