Gagne just blew another save

Eric Gagne just blew his fourth save in 10 chances this season. I’m writing this during the Cardinals-Brewers game. (UPDATE: The Brewers still won in 12.) Gagne’s ERA is an awful 8.31, though I’d say manager Ned Yost is partially to blame for Gagne’s last two blown saves.

Today was Gagne’s fifth appearance in the last six days, and if that isn’t pitcher overuse, I don’t know what is. In his last blown save, on Sunday, it was his fourth appearance in four days. Given all of this, I’m kind of surprised Yost didn’t put Gagne in the game yesterday. There was no save situation, but it was tied 3-3 in the ninth.

The Eric Gagne signing hasn’t been what the Brewers pictured. And if you include his time in Boston, Gagne’s ERA over his last 30 appearances is 7.24 — and that’s over 27 1/3 innings. What a turnaround for the once-dominant closer.

Also, what’s gotten into the Cardinals this year? They’re 13-7 and came back from a 8-3 deficit in this game to tie it up. Maybe they’re better than we all thought. Then again, it’s still April.

Links around the interwebs

Before I get to some of the great links I found today, I’d like to remind you all that I’m still blogging at Bugs & Cranks. My latest post can be found here, an archive of my work here. Some great links:

• The Angels are getting a break — Josh Beckett has been scratched from his start tonight. As Center Field points out, Beckett needs his ice cream. (Center Field)
• At first, I couldn’t understand why Tampa Bay locked up Evan Longoria to a long-term deal when he’s been in the majors for a week, but Baseball Mastermind does a fantastic job of breaking down why it’s a good thing for them. (Baseball Mastermind)
• The Devil Rays have the best bullpen in baseball? Has the world gone mad? (Bugs & Cranks)
• A post-game interview with Rick Neuheisel from 1984, when he was a player. (Bruins Nation)
• Joe Girardi is getting rid of candy and ice cream in the Yankee clubhouse even though baseball’s the one sport where overweight players can thrive. (Larry Brown Sports)
• So the Patriots are still trying to trademark 19-0? Really? (Hugging Harold Reynolds)
• Jim Thome keeps moving up the career home runs leaderboard. (Babes Love Baseball)
• As good of a hitter as he is, why does Micah Owings bat ninth in the lineup? (UmpBump)