Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon are the first bullpen duo to make the All-Star game from Pittsburgh in the history of the Midsummer Classic. That’s 83 years without this happening. It goes to show you how important the back end of the bullpen, also known by fans as “Mark and Cheese”, has been for the Bucs this season.
Jason Grilli’s numbers have been solid in his first year as closer for the Pirates going 29 of 30 in save opportunities while holding a 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings (9 ER). He has also struck out 63 out of 158 batters which gives him a 13.9 K’s per 9 inning ratio. That ranks him in the top three in that category. He was a lock to make the team with these numbers alone.
What the player-voters and coaches didn’t recognize though, was that Mark Melancon has numbers that are just as good as or even better than Grilli’s. He owns a 0.81 ERA in 44 1/3 innings (4 ER) while striking out 46 out of 170 batters. That’s good enough for a 9.3 K’s per 9 ratio. He, however, was overlooked for the midsummer classic due to the fact that non-closers in the bullpen rarely make the squad. Just ask Grilli, who had the same numbers last season but missed out because he was not a closer.
This story didn’t end the same way as last year though, as Melancon did make the squad last-second when Pirates starter, Jeff Locke, was pulled from the roster due to “back tightness”. “I’m just glad I got my throwing partner,” said Grilli.
Melancon was just as humbled when asked if he and Grilli had talked about going back-to-back innings in the game, “I think Grilli and I are on cloud 9. I don’t think we’d care if we threw the third and fourth. We’re just very humble to be there and thankful for the guys that have helped us get there.”
He, along with his wife and daughter, packed up their car and drove to New York after the game on Sunday. Yes, you read it right, they drove from Pittsburgh to the Big Apple because travel arrangements had already been made for the other All-Star’s before he was chosen.
Since I’m a replacement in the @AllStarGame @mlb they made me drive to New York & I don’t even care! pic.twitter.com/Np4P0hBTw4
— Mark Melancon (@Mark_Melancon_) July 15, 2013
Grilli also acknowledges the fact that their successes would not be if it weren’t for the job the other relievers in the “Shark Tank” have provided this season. “I wish we could be packing a lot of guy’s in our carryon bags because it has taken everybody”
It’s that mentality that has helped the Pirates get to where they are today and the heights they could reach in the second half.
The 84th edition of the Midsummer Classic is tonight at 8:00pm on FOX.
Follow Travis for Pirates news and in-game updates on Twitter @TBerardi_OVA or @theyinzer
(Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports)
