He May Walk a Tightrope, but Braves Like Their Closer

The Atlanta Braves were encouraged by the performance of their inexperienced bullpen in the National League division series.

Four relievers--three of them rookies--weren’t charged with a run in 6 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs. They gave up only two singles while helping hold Chicago to a .181 batting average in a three-game sweep.

But despite the group’s success, rookie closer Kerry Ligtenberg didn’t inspire as much confidence as club officials had hoped. And the Braves may need a big contribution from Ligtenberg in the National League championship series beginning Wednesday at Turner Field in Atlanta.

Ligtenberg pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, but two runners he inherited with the bases loaded scored in the eighth inning of a 6-2 victory in Game 3. He struck out three in three appearances--slugger Sammy Sosa twice--but also walked four, one intentionally.

“It’s nothing to be worried about,” Manager Bobby Cox said. “He walked a few guys for some reason, but he threw the ball well. And it’s not like we don’t have good people throwing behind him if we need them.”

The Braves consider this season’s bullpen among the organization’s all-time best. Rookie left-handers John Rocker and Odalis Perez have contributed more than expected, and right-hander Rudy Seanez, a former Dodger, has been an outstanding setup man.

But Ligtenberg, 27, has been the biggest surprise since assuming the full-time closer’s role in mid-July. He converted 30 of 34 save opportunities, becoming the first National League rookie to save at least 30 games since Todd Worrell did it with the Cardinals in 1986.

Ligtenberg went 3-2 with a 2.71 earned-run average, and had 79 strikeouts in 73 innings. The right-hander is strongly supported by his teammates because he filled a void when former closer Mark Wohlers struggled.

“The guy has saved 30 games, and no one is even talking about him for rookie of the year,” said John Smoltz of Ligtenberg, who pitched three scoreless innings in last season’s league championship series. “I know there was a lot of talk earlier in the season about us going out and getting a ‘proven closer,’ but a lot of those guys have blown more saves than he did.

“Everybody walks people, but I’ll take having Kerry out there every time. If teams feel like they can beat us by getting Kerry into the game, then I would challenge them to go ahead and try.”