Indians P Chris Perez Proves That Being a Closer is the Worst Job on Earth

Monday night, the Cleveland Indians had a 2-0 lead going into the top of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers. It was the first game of a big four-game series that could ultimately decide the American League Central division.

To that point in the game, the Indians had played stellar defense behind a superb outing from starting pitcher Corey Kluber. Michael Bourn made a running catch at full-speed to set the early defensive tone, and All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis flashed the glove multiple times. Kluber himself went 7.1 innings, shutting out the Tigers on six hits.

And while not looking like world-beaters offensively, the Indians did just enough to manufacture their two runs.

Everything added up to a victory for the Indians as closer Chris Perez took the mound to close out the ninth; 13 pitches later and it was 4-2 Detroit, with all of the air sucked out of the Indians’ collective balloon.

Prior to Monday’s meltdown, Perez had given up only one run in his last ten appearances, dating back to July 13. To take it even further, Perez had given up only two runs in his last 18 appearances, going all the way back to June 28, when he came off the disabled list.

But none of that matters to the city of Cleveland right now. Because of Perez’s own actions, fans are ready to run him out of town at a moment’s notice, but that doesn’t have anything to do with the venom stemming from Monday’s performance. It was a big game in a big series and Perez, pitching for the third straight day, blew it, making the memories of what has become a stellar season vanish into the night.

In other words, being a closer is the worst job in the world.

Prior to Monday, Perez’s ERA since returning from the disabled list was 0.95, and he was holding opposing hitters to a .191 batting average. He struck out 12 in that stretch and walked only three, going 11-for-11 in his save opportunities. He was one of the most important pieces on a team that became one of the hottest in baseball.

But what does that matter? Perez is back to being the official pariah of Cleveland.

Like the kicker in football, a closer is hardly noticeable when reliable and painfully present when finally human. And unless you’re Mariano Rivera, you’re usually swept to the curb without a second thought.

Some jobs in sports just don’t seem as much fun as the others.