This could be the final weekend closer Brian Fuentes earns a save at Coors Field wearing a Rockies uniform.
That's because the Rockies finish the home portion of their schedule with a three-game series against Arizona that ends Sunday. And because Fuentes, 33, can be a free agent after the season, there will be a market for a proven closer and the Rockies don't seem inclined to offer him a contract on the order of what Philadelphia gave closer Brad Lidge (three years, $37.5 million) earlier this season. If indeed these are the waning days for Fuentes with the Rockies, he is departing on a high note.
Fuentes earned his 28th save Wednesday in the Rockies' 1-0 win against San Diego. He retired the side in order, striking out the final two batters.
Fuentes is 15-for-15 in save situations since July 3. During that stretch, he has allowed two earned runs in 27 2/3 innings for a 0.65 ERA with eight walks and 48 strikeouts, an average of 15.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
"This is the best he's ever pitched for us since he's been here, in my opinion," manager Clint Hurdle said. "And it's very black and white for me, if you watch him. His fastball command has never been this good. He's covering both sides of the plate. He's throwing strikes. He's ahead in counts. The slider is very, very effective.
"You look at the way his strikeouts per innings has just spiked the second half of the season. So it's strike one and then he's just going and cutting them up."
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