Joel Hanrahan is not off to a grand start as the Red Sox closer. But last night, just before he gave up a game-tying homer to the Twins' Brian Dozier, he did manage to destroy an ad behind home plate. That has to count for something, right?
It's a small sample size, but Hanrahan has already blown two of his six save chances. He has a FIP of 4.63, an ERA of 9.82, and a WHIP of 2.182. He's also already done a stint on the 15-day disabled list. Last night, after Dozier's homer tied it and he gave up a two-out walk to Josh Willingham—with only 10 of his 20 pitches going for strikes—Hanrahan left the game with tightness in his forearm. He likely won't be available tonight.
But forget all that. Moments before Dozier took him deep, Hanrahan did this. A perfect strike.