FanHouse

This is almost getting old and tiresome for the Rockies. Eight straight losses complimented by four consecutive blown saves from closer Brian Fuentes. According to ESPN researchers, it's the first time that a closer has blown four straight saves since Dave Righetti in 1988. Sure, Fuentes hasn't been his sharpest over the past week, but he's really getting a bad rap for the recent run of bad luck.

A week ago Friday, it was three runs scoring on a hit by John McDonald that accounted for the first blown save. The game-winner scored on an errant throw by catcher Chris Ianetta. Monday, it was a two-run single by Alfonso Soriano to win it. Both runs were unearned because Kaz Matsui booted what would have been the game-ending ground ball. Thursday, Carlos Lee hit a grand slam in the 11th to end it. Craig Biggio reached on a roller up the middle that went in between Troy Tulowitzki and Matsui, neither of whom could figure out who would make the play. The grounder would have ended the game.

Then came Friday night. After getting two outs, Fuentes walked Lee, and then allowed the game-winning walk-off home run to Mark Loretta. The recent string has manager Clint Hurdle worried. I'm not; most of those outings look worse because of the "blown save" title they have acquired. In reality, two of those games should have been saves. The bright side, at least Fuentes hasn't gone Armando Benitez yet. He elected not to speak with the media instead after Friday's 9-8 loss.