Lots of closers walk on the wild side. The demands of the job almost requires it. Distinctive looks are part of the package and Indians closer Chris Perez is easy to spot on the mound.
View full sizeIndians closer Chris Perez says he might shave his beard during the off-season, but the long hair is here to stay.SEATTLE, Wash. — Chris Perez doesn't think closers need to have a certain look.
"Mariano Rivera doesn't have a look," Perez said. "Joe Nathan doesn't have a look."
Chris Perez, with 17 saves in 21 chances for the Indians, does have a look. He has the long brown hair and a thick beard to go along with a 95 mph fastball and a good slider.
"I've always had the hair," Perez said. "I kept the beard going this year because I'm having a good year. I really didn't want to change anything up.
"I kind of makes me look older. For that role it's not that bad of a thing. It started out that I was just going to have it when it was cold out. But I got off to a good roll and just kept it. I'll probably shave it off before next spring training, but the hair is never going away."
While Rivera and Nathan might not need any extra bells and whistles, a lot of closers look different than everyone else on a baseball field. Perez says its part of a closer's DNA.
"In this type of position, you don't have to be on the edge, but [maybe] alternative, I guess," Perez said. "Good closers relish that role. They want be out there night after night. It goes a long with being alternative.
"I'm sure a lot of those guys like to listen to heavy rock. All the weird guys are closers. You've got Brian Wilson in San Francisco with his haircut. You've got me. Jonathan Papelbon in Boston has the stare. I think it's just a coincidence, but I don't think it's a coincidence it's at that position."
Perez has allowed two earned run in his last 25 1/3 innings. He's converted 12 of his last 13 save chances. Overall his ERA of 1.99 is the eighth lowest in the AL among relievers.
When the Indians traded Kerry Wood to the Yankees on July 31, Perez became the Indians regular closer.
"Chris has the stuff and the mentality for the job," said manager Manny Acta. "It's been quite a difference since he's taking over. . . . We can't wait until we can get the ball to him."
Complete-game loss: Fausto Carmona said Friday's 1-0 loss to Seattle was his best start of the year. He threw a four-hitter in his third complete game of the season.
View full sizeIndians starter Fausto Carmona."Everything was working," Carmona said.
The problem was everything was working for Seattle left-hander Luke French as well. He no-hit the Indians for 6 1/3 innings.
It's the second time Carmona has been on the wrong side of a near no-hitter. On July 2, he threw a complete game against Detroit, but barely drew a mention because Armando Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game when first-base umpire Jim Joyce called Jason Donald safe for what should have been the 27th consecutive and final out of the game.
Carmona (11-14, 4.05), who went to the All-Star Game, has lost his past six starts.
"I'm not frustrated," Carmona said. "I can't control how many runs we score. I can only control how I throw my pitches."
Acta doesn't know if Friday's start was Carmona's best of the year. "He's thrown a lot of good games this year," he said. "When this season ends, we're going to make sure he knows that. He could easily have 15 wins right now."
Change in plans: Jeanmar Gomez wasn't going to start until Wednesday, but he'll start Sunday against Felix Hernandez. Justin Masterson, the scheduled starter, left the team to tend to a family matter.
The Indians wanted to skip Gomez in the rotation.
"We didn't want to skip him because he's tired," said Acta. "We wanted to skip him to limit his inning and keep him pitching for the rest of the year."
Finally: Acta says "four or five' more players could be recalled when Class AAA Columbus finishes the postseason.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158