Craig Kimbrel On Non-Save Struggles: 'I've Still Got To Get Outs' Regardless Of Situation
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has been dominant in save situations, posting a 1.53 ERA with just two blown saves and 27 strikeouts in 17.2 innings. But Kimbrel's ERA in non-save situations ballooned to 4.35 Monday night, after a frustrating 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park.
Despite pitching for the third day in a row, Kimbrel said health or fatigue was not a factor - nor was the fact that it was a non-save situation.
"I feel comfortable on the mound," Kimbrel told reporters after the game. "It doesn't matter what the situation is, I've still got to get outs."
Kimbrel said his biggest mistake, a 99-mph fastball that White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu dropped into center field for a two-run double to put the White Sox up 3-1, was an issue of bad location.
"I left it over the plate too much. [Abreu] is a good low-ball hitter and he drove it," said Kimbrel. "I felt if I could have elevated a little bit I might have been able to get it by him, but that wasn't the case."
The Red Sox have particularly struggled in close games and low-scoring games, and Monday will be far from the last time Kimbrel takes the ball in a non-save situation. He will simply need to pitch better in those spots as the season approaches the second half.
