Thursday, October 24, 2002
Reliable Nen saves another tight game
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Bell Park's radar gun was turned off during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the World Series. It's a common tactic when a hard-throwing pitcher isn't at full strength. But Robb Nen had no idea why his usually blistering numbers weren't getting posted on the stadium scoreboards.
“Maybe I broke it, I was throwing so hard,” he said.
Nen wants everyone to know his right shoulder is just fine, and the Anaheim Angels will back him up after the San Francisco closer powered past them to his second save of the World Series.
Nen preserved another one-run lead Wednesday night with seven pitches — all strikes — in a scoreless ninth inning of the Giants' 4-3 victory, tying the Series at two games apiece.
Nen's health has been the topic of much discussion as the Giants' season went on. Manager Dusty Baker even admitted that his All-Star closer might be having trouble getting loose after throwing his powerful fastball for eight months straight.
Nonsense, Nen said.
“Did it look like I was sore today?” Nen asked. “Everybody's tired from the season. It has nothing to do with my arm. As long as I can pitch every day, nothing else matters.”
Actually, Nen has every right to be tired after 43 saves in 68 regular-season appearances followed by nine appearances in the postseason. Nen has seven saves in October while allowing eight hits in eight innings.
“We've just got to give him more time to get loose,” Baker said. “I don't know if (Nen's shoulder) is bothering him or not, to tell you the truth. There's something bothering everyone at this time of the year. This is much longer than guys are used to playing.”
After getting Scott Spiezio on a foul pop to start the ninth, Nen allowed a single to pinch-hitter Adam Kennedy — a natural for Nen, who has 314 career saves, but hardly ever makes them easy.
Nen went right back at pinch-hitter Brad Fullmer. He grounded weakly to shortstop Rich Aurilia, who stepped on second base and threw to first for the game-ending double play. Nen pumped his fist and shook catcher Benito Santiago's hand as the Giants gathered on the field after his seventh save of this postseason.
Nen's save encompassed the last of three scoreless innings worked by the Giants' bullpen, which also safeguarded a one-run lead in San Francisco's 4-3 victory in Game 1. Felix Rodriguez and Tim Worrell each worked one strong inning as the sellout crowd roared.
San Francisco's bullpen has had its problems this season, but the Giants' veterans always seem to come up big when a lead is on the line.
“A lot of (the pressure) was taken care of by adrenaline,” Worrell said. “The crowd was up and pumped. I usually don't get that during the innings I pitch in the regular season.”
As Nen reminded his teammates earlier this season, he's no stranger to postseason pressure. He saved two games for the Florida Marlins in their World Series victory over Cleveland, even though he allowed four runs in 4 2-3 innings.
Nen left the Marlins less than a month after the Series ended, traded to San Francisco for three prospects as part of Florida's complete dissolution of its championship team. Nen didn't miss a beat after joining the Giants — he racked up 206 saves over the last five seasons, including the 300th of his career on Aug. 6.
All the talk about relievers in the current Series has centered on Francisco Rodriguez, the Angels' surprising rookie. On a night when Rodriguez finally faltered, allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth, Nen was his usual self.
Nen, who had the previous three days off, began throwing in the bullpen while the score was still tied. His warmup was essentially completed before David Bell's go-ahead single.
When “Smoke on the Water” — Nen's theme song — came over the loudspeakers, it was almost over.
“Nen is the kind of guy who's been good the whole year,” Felix Rodriguez said. “He's one of the most dominant closers in baseball. The sooner your job's over and you've got a save, the better.”
Reds Stories
Bengals may give Germaine a turn
Bengals may pay till they win
Bengals Notebook: Sellout unlikely
Bengals lineman nominated for Brawny man
Browns owner dies
NFL Notebook: Redskins QB fears sniper
NFL Injury Report
Xavier's Jackson improving by leaps
UC soccer team making a buzz
Jordan paid off woman, now claims extortion
Buckeyes' secondary primary concern
Unbeaten Notre Dame underdog at Florida State
Irish aggressiveness begins at center
Groschen & Janson on Prep Sports
Today's high school schedule
Highlands basketball star picks LSU
Soccer tournament highlights
Boys soccer results
Girls volleyball results
Volleyball tournament highlights
CHCA asks OK to build soccer fields
• Return to Reds front page...
Reliable Nen saves another tight game 
