“We still have confidence in him,”

That’s what Bob Melvin said about the Diamondbacks closer, for the time being, Brandon Lyon. It’s a nice sentiment but it’s time for Melvin to start changing his tune.

Brandon Lyon’s early season roar has become nothing more than a whimper and Melvin has to do something about it. In a division that is as tight as the NL West there is simply no margin for error and Lyon currently is putting the Diamondbacks to close to that margin. Last night’s outing wasn’t an aberration but rather the continuation of an emerging trend that could cost the D-backs the playoffs.

Since July 1st Brandon Lyon has appeared in 15 games, posted 9.00 ERA and only struck out 10 batters while allowing opponents to hit .371 off of him. Compare that to Salomon Torres of the Milwaukee Brewers who has one fewer save than and has a 2.55 ERA with 12 strikeouts and opponents batting .210 in the same time span.

Or how about Kerry Wood of the Cubs (yes the same Wood whose arm exploded a few seasons back…exploded probably isn’t the medical term for it) who is tied with Lyon with 25 saves. Since July 1st he has posted a 3.60 ERA and opponents are hitting .250 off of him in 11 games.

Nice company to keep too bad Lyon’s stats aren’t anywhere near theirs.

The argument will be made that Lyon has only blown three saves but since the beginning of July he has had 5 games in which he has given up 2 or more runs. Can Melvin and the D-backs really afford to rest their hopes in such volatile hands?

Before July 19th I’d have said yes. There wasn’t a viable option on the roster to supersede Lyon. All that changed though when the Diamondbacks acquired Jon Rauch from Washington.

Rauch was the National’s closer prior to donning the Sedona red. As the National’s closer he recorded 17 saves with a .298 ERA, 44 strikeouts and opponents batting only .232. Things haven’t changed much for Rauch even though his roll in Arizona has. Since being acquired he has a 3.65 ERA, 16 strikeouts and opponents batting a measly .222.

While Lyon has imploded on himself Rauch continues to do what he does best, overpower hitters.

The numbers don’t lie it’s time that big Jon Rauch gets his chance to close things up. One game could make the difference again this season and he’s the guy to ensure it’s in the Diamondbacks favor.

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