Derek Mann then tripled Backe home, and came across moments later on a ground out. After Tony Pigott drew a walk, Balfour entered from the bullpen. With the Miracle ahead 3-2, Miguel Suriel reached on an infield single, Balfour struck out Pete LaForest looking, but walked Jose Velazquez to load the bases. Diaz, who s hitting .351 with 11 RBIs against Fort Myers, fell behind 0-2 before chasing a rising fastball out of the strike zone to end the game. He went right after Diaz, Marzan said.
Closing is something that Balfour s done well in the past.
It could be a spot for him here, if that spot was available. Filling in for closer Micheal Nakamura, who worked three innings Sunday, Balfour notched his second career save and his first of 2000. The final explosion followed a night of wasted opportunities for both sides. Schoening gave up four hits and four walks over seven innings, stranding eight runners in the process. On four different occasions, he left at least one runner in scoring position.