On Friday, the bullpen blew up and gave the Minnesota Twins an 8-6 win over the Detroit Tigers on a walk-off home run by Brian Dozier.
Detroit wasted no time in trying for a quick fix. They agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Neftali Feliz, who refused his minor-league assignment with the Texas Rangers to become a free agent. The agreement was announced by the Tigers.
Feliz has appeared in 18 games this season, fashioning a 4.58 ERA and 1.68 WHIP over 19.2 innings pitched. He has blown three saves in nine chances.
The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in late 2012. His average fastball velocity has fallen from 96.3 MPH to 93.7 MPH in the past two seasons.
The Tigers picked up Joel Hanrahan and Jim Johnson last season because they were looking for the same type of help. Both of those players did not pan out with Detroit, but Feliz has a much better track record and has a huge chance to succeed.
Feliz has pitched with Texas for his entire MLB career (2009- 2015). The native of the Dominican Republic was an All-Star in 2010. He was 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA that season, with a league-high 59 games finished. The righty punched in 40 saves with a 0.88 WHIP.
The reliever pitched very well in 2014 as well, going 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA over 30 games, 22 of them finished. Feliz clocked in 13 saves and pitched 31.2 innings.
He also has a postseason track record. With Texas in 2010 and 2011, he owns a 1.93 ERA with seven saves in back-to-back World Series. However, his team lost both. Once to the San Francisco Giants and the other to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Earlier this week, the Tigers outrighted Tom Gorzelanny to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and released Joba Chamberlain.
The Tigers have the last three Texas closers in Joe Nathan, Joakim Soria and now Feliz.