OAKLAND – This is what Brad Ausmus was hoping for.
He was hoping a day later, Francisco Rodriguez would walk out of the visiting bullpen on Sunday afternoon, in a save situation, get back on the horse, record a save and table all of this closer talk. He was hoping the game after Rodriguez blew his third save of the season, the veteran closer would give him more confidence going forward. Ausmus was not hoping for this.
For the second straight day, Rodriguez blew the game. He showed the same lack of stuff he showed a night earlier and now, the big issue the Tigers were bound to face sooner rather than later has come to a front: Rodriguez’s standing as the team’s closer will be discussed over the next 48 hours.