Piniella concerned by Gregg's HR frequency

Manager Lou Piniella didn't realize the Cubs had blown 11 saves in 26 chances entering Wednesday, putting their save percentage at 58 -- third-worst in the National League. What he did notice was the six home runs allowed by closer Kevin Gregg, the most by a Cubs full-time reliever.

''One thing about this young man, he gives up a lot of home runs in the closer spot,'' Piniella said before the game against the Detroit Tigers -- a day after Gregg blew his third save by serving up a two-run, walkoff home run to pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn. ''Look, you don't like to see that out of your closer too much, I'm going to be honest with you. Usually when you give up home runs late like that, they end games.''

''Look, I didn't say we were going to make any changes,'' he said. ''I didn't say that I'm contemplating making any changes. But I am saying, late in the game, you've got to keep that ball in the ballpark if you want to have a lot of success in these shorter roles.''

Chicago Sun Times

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