MyNorthwest.com · Jun 27, 2015
Mariners notebook: McClendon would like to get back to Rodney in the 9th but...
ANAHEIM--Lloyd McClendon is quick to point out that he has never anointed Carson Smith the new Mariners closer nor has he said that Fernando Rodney is not the closer. While Smith has picked up 5 of the last 6 Mariners saves, it was Rodney on the hill in the 9th Friday night. Smith had pitched the 8th and McClendon's logic for throwing him early, was simple.
"I thought that was the biggest point of the game," he said. "If you lose the lead in the 8th then the 9th means nothing. I thought it was the best chance to preserve that lead at that particular time."