Back End Of The Bullpen Has Been Consistent Force For Ducks
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
More than once, UO baseball coach George Horton has used the same analogy to describe his team's recent inconsistency.
Some days, situational hitting has failed the Ducks (21-16). Other days it's been defense, or the starting pitching. To that end, Horton has said, his job has been like plugging a leaking damn; just when he gets one hole plugged, another springs open.
At least one element for the Ducks is standing firm. The back of the UO bullpen has been marvelous throughout the last few weeks. Closer Garrett Cleavinger and setup man Stephen Nogosek kept their heads while Oregon sputtered in late March and early April, and they played big roles in the Ducks' 3-1 record last week, when the team took a step forward by claiming a Civil War series from Oregon State.
"They're two warriors," said Horton, whose Ducks are back in action at Portland on Wednesday at 3 p.m., before playing at USC this weekend. "They've been very consistent."
Cleavinger, the Ducks' junior closer, appeared in all three Civil War games over the weekend, after overpowering Portland with three strikeouts in a save last Tuesday. On Friday, Cleavinger entered with two on and two out in the top of the ninth, striking out the only OSU hitter he faced. The Ducks went on to win in the bottom of the ninth, giving Cleavinger — Oregon's setup man the last two years — his 14th career win.
Cleavinger stranded two more baserunners by striking out the final two OSU hitters Saturday, though the Ducks weren't able to come from behind in the bottom of the ninth. And he struck out three more Beavers to close out Sunday's rubber match, Cleavinger's fourth save this season — but his first since March 15, about the time Oregon's season took a turn.
"There was definitely some excitement down there," Cleavinger said of warming up for a save situation. "The go-ahead hit, your heart starts racing a little bit. But it wasn't too different from the last couple days."
One difference Sunday was that Cleavinger pitched on a day Nogosek did not. That hadn't happened since April 1, and has only happened three times in Cleavinger's 19 appearances this season. They tend to work in tandem, and with good reason — they've been consistent bright spots for the Ducks all year.
On March 15 at California, Nogosek got the win and Cleavinger earned a save as the Ducks salvaged the lone victory of a 1-4 week. Since then, Oregon has gone 7-10, but Cleavinger and Nogosek have allowed a total of two earned runs in 22 combined appearances.
"We've got some really good guys that are going pretty good in the bullpen," Horton said. "But the back end of the bullpen doesn't do you any good when you're trailing."
Nogosek and Cleavinger have focused on what they're able to control — making pitches when called upon, regardless of the circumstances.
"The main thing is just keeping your focus on the right thing: throwing strikes, doing your job," Cleavinger said. "Don't focus on any of the other details. It helps simplify the game a little bit."
A year ago, Cleavinger was the setup man for closer Jake Reed, who is now pitching in the Minnesota Twins organization. They set the tone in the bullpen with their intensity and preparation.
This year, though the Ducks have received heady relief efforts of late from Cooper Stiles and Josh Graham, it's been Nogosek and Cleavinger leading the bullpen.
"Being a middle relief guy last year, that's what I fed off, was Clev and Jake's energy," Nogosek said. "How they set the table. I think that's what me and Clev are trying to do — lead by example."
As Cleavinger was recording nine strikeouts in three innings over four appearances last week, there was no denying how much the dugout fed off his dominance. Hitters from Portland and Oregon State had little chance against the UO closer, whose stuff is rounding into form at midseason, as usual. His fastball is touching 94, and his breaking ball has filthy bite.
Perhaps that energy helped fuel Oregon's walk-off win Friday. Perhaps Cleavinger's presence in the bullpen Sunday gave the Ducks confidence that, if they could just scratch out one run in the eighth inning, their closer would nail down a win.
Typically, Nogosek and Cleavinger are two of the last Ducks to leave the bench when they do appear in a game. Still, they've found a way to be leaders, and if last week was the turning point as Oregon got its season back on track, the back end of the bullpen will deserve major credit.
