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Fields out as Astros closer
Bo Porter has mercifully pulled the plug on Josh Fields. The second year righty has officially been removed from the Astros’ closer’s role.
Porter says Fields won't throw high-pressure innings for a while. Qualls and Bass to close for now.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 2, 2014
After going 0-3 in his last three outings and allowing nine earned runs in 1 & 2/3 innings, Fields had to see this coming. Although Porter refuses to to officially anoint a closer, Fields had been given the lion’s share of opportunities over the first month of the season.
Not any more.
For the time being, Chad Qualls and Anthony Bass will share ninth inning duties.
"“We don’t have a closer,” Porter said. “But I would like to have somebody come in and get the last three outs. Right now, if you look at the back end of our bullpen, with Fields pitching probably lower-leverage innings, (the closer) would be Qualls or it would be (Anthony) Bass.” h/t Howard Chen"
Josh Fields (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
On Friday,both Qualls and Bass turned in successful outings. Qualls got the last two outs in the ninth inning of a tie game. Bass followed with two perfect innings to pick up the win in Houston’s 5-4 extra-inning victory over Seattle.