Kevin Gregg Runs Out of Chances

One more blown save was one too many for Kevin Gregg.  After giving up four in the ninth to the Padres, the final three on Kyle Banks‘ game-winning homer, Gregg is being demoted.

“I think we’re going to make some changes as far as what we’re going to do in late innings,” Lou Piniella said after Monday night’s frustrating loss. “We’ll have some word .”

This is a 180 from the stuff Lou was saying just a few weeks ago after Gregg’s most atrocious blown save of the year, the back-to-back bombs on consecutive pitches debacle against Florida.

A reporter asked him if he was planning to remove Gregg as closer in the wake of that particular mess.  “Why should I?” was Lou’s response.

Evidently, Lou has asked himself that question again, and come up with a satisfactory answer.

Now all we need an answer for is, “Who will close instead of Gregg?”

There are multiple candidates on the roster, none of them ideal.  Carlos Marmol has the stuff but control is an issue.  Angel Guzman has been solid this year but is he ready to have the spotlight on him?  Ditto John Grabow.

Unfortunately, it may be too late for any of this to make a difference.  The Cubs are now 6 behind the Cardinals, who by the way are on fire, and 4 out of the wild card with four teams ahead of them.