Chicago White Sox Morning BP: Who should be the closer?

Jun 27, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher

Jake Petricka

delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

It was good to see the Chicago White Sox gain a road win on Friday night, but the ever so “reliable” bullpen made things a lot closer than they should have been.

The White Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays by a 5-4 score, but the Blue Jays had the game-tying run just 90-feet away from forcing extra innings.

That was all due to the pitching of the bullpen in the ninth inning. It took Ronald Belisario, Eric Surkamp and Jake Petricka to finish the game, but they did.

Jun 27, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher

Ronald Belisario

delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The problem was I think Belisario overstayed his welcome as the closer Friday night. He even got a “pep talk” after giving up a lead-off home run in the 9th from manager Robin Ventura, which rarely happens.

I believe Belisario is more suited to be the set-up man for this pitching staff, and hopefully that is where he stays for the rest of the season.

Looking at Surkamp, he’s not the next closer, and as for Daniel Webb, he has too many control issues for my liking.

Right now, just looking at the roster of relief pitchers the White Sox have available, I believe it is time to give Petricka his shot at being the closer. I say that because for the fact the White Sox know what they have with him for the rest for the remainder of the season.

Petricka does have two saves this season, including one Friday night, where he had to clean up a big mess left by Belisario and Surkamp.

In his past 10 appearances, his ERA is 3.86 (11.2 innings), where he’s allowed five earned runs and walked four.

Looking at his past 5.2 innings pitched, Petricka has allowed just one hit and no earned runs.

Why not give him a shot? Everyone else who has auditioned for the job has mostly failed this season, or they wouldn’t be in the situation in the first place. The White Sox need to see what they have in the 26-year-old right-hander before it is too late.