Skip’s pretty good about making us clean up our own mess.

Well, the more professional term is holding players accountable for their actions. But it’s the same either way; I’ve got two men on, nobody out and no one is coming to help me.

I’m not looking for help. Well, I could have used some from the ump on that last pitch – a fastball that apparently was a little too inside.

I can feel the slider grip slipping in my hand on the next pitch. I’m just thankful that it spun away as opposed to flatting out. If it’s the latter, I would be collecting a new ball. Instead, it’s just ball four and the bases are loaded.

I don’t even look at Skip.

I just look down to 2 and nod. He nods back and I know I’ll get out of this OK.

That and we have a four-run lead, so unless this goes completely off the rails, I’m not going to blow this for the entire team.

Just my ERA and any chance of keeping my press streak at 8 games. As a long reliever, unless you’re a talker, you rarely want to talk to the press.

There are a few beat reporters that I’m friendly with, but it’s only when you do bad that everyone wants to talk to you.

And that’s never any fun.