By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
For a guy who pitched very little the previous two years, Gabe Klobosits hasn’t missed a beat this season.
In fact, he’s made it clear he’s intent on fast-tracking himself up the bullpen ladder of the Washington Nationals organization.
On Tuesday night, Klobosits made a very loud statement with his right arm that he’s now the closer for the Rochester Red Wings, even though he has only been in Triple-A for 29 days.
The 6-foot-8, 245-pound Texan pitched a scoreless night, striking out the side, to preserve a 5-3 victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs as the Wings kicked off a 12-game homestand at Frontier Field.
In 12 innings across eight outings for the Wings, Klobosits has yet to give up an earned run, has allowed eight hits and struck out 10.
“He was brought up here to pitch in high-leverage situations and he’s done a really nice job, so we’ll keep throwing him out there,” manager Matthew LeCroy said after his club improved to 30-41.
Daniel Palka belted two home runs – a two-run shot into the Rochester bullpen in the fourth and a solo blast in the seventh – and also drove in another run in the fifth to provide most of the offense.
When Klobosits entered to start the ninth inning, he continued a night where Wings pitchers were, for the most part, in charge.
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Starter Tyler Eppler (2-7) left in the seventh with a 4-0 lead (and to a rousing ovation from the crowd of 3,884), and while Javy Guerra allowed two inherited runners and one of his own to score, he did get the critical outs he needed, as did Alberto Baldonado.
Then LeCroy gave the ball in the ninth to Klobosits, who was called up from Double-A Harrisburg on June 29. He was 2-1 with three saves and an 0.90 ERA with the Senators, striking out 26 in 20 innings.
Not bad for a guy who had Tommy John surgery in May of 2018 and didn’t return to the mound until late in 2019, then didn’t pitch at all in 2020 because the COVID-19 pandemic canceled minor league seasons.
Based on his performance this season, you’d never know he had so much down time. Then again, it’s what he says he expected.
“I’m not surprised at all. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and I know I can pitch at all levels, it’s just really going out there and believing in myself and knowing all my hard work has paid off,” Klobosits said.
Perhaps most impressive is his ability to throw strikes. He has walked just two. He certainly has not been awed by anything yet in Triple-A.
“Double-A you may have a couple spots that are tough and the rest (of the spots in the lineup) are fairly easy if you can execute,” LeCroy said. “Up here they don’t chase as much. But he’s really done a good job throwing the ball over the plate and getting outs on the plate. The breaking ball, the slider and split-finger; he’s been able to get swings and misses over the plate.
“I’m really proud of him. He’s even-keep demeanor, he hasn’t been flustered by any big spots we’ve put him in, so I’m really happy with his progression so far.”
LeCroy believes there may even be more progression up the organizational ladder.
“If he continues to do well and progress, I can see him at some point going up,” LeCroy said. “As many high-leverage spots we can put him in, we’re going to do it so he’s ready if his name is called.
“I’m sure we’ll get him a back-to-back and multiple ups (in the bullpen while waiting to enter the game). We’re going to try to get him ready for that next level.”
That would obviously be just fine with Klobosits, but he’s says his focus is only on the here and now.
“I learned back in spring training you can’t worry about what’s in front of you, you have to be where your feet,” he said. “I’m not really too concerned with what’s going on above me, I’m just concerned with what I have today, what’s now and what I have to do to get the job done.
“If you start looking ahead, you get lost.”
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