WASHINGTON — A 97-mph fastball followed up by an 89 mph power changeup is a pretty effective combination.
Effective enough for right-hander Tommy Kahnle to land the job as the Rockies' closer, at least for the time being.
Friday night, on his 26th birthday, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Kahnle recorded the first save of his career, shutting down the Nationals in the ninth inning and striking out National League MVP candidate Bryce Harper to end the game.
"I think if we get in that situation again tonight, Tommy will be out there," manager Walt Weiss said Saturday before the Rockies took on Washington in Game 2 of a three-game series at Nationals Park.