A's considering changing closers

A's rookie closer Ryan Cook has blown saves in four of his last seven outings and could be replaced by Grant Balfour as Oakland's closer soon.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Aug 6, 2012 at 9:58 am ET • 1 min read

Ryan Cook didn't give up a home run in his first 40 appearances this season has given up four in his last seven. (US Presswire)

A's rookie closer Ryan Cook may just be an A's rookie soon, as the team is considering changing closers.

Cook, who as a member of the American League All-Star team, was a 7.00 ERA and four blown save in nine appearances since the All-Star break, including blown saves against the Blue Jays on Friday and Saturday.

"We'll take all the variables into consideration, just as we do with anybody," manager Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle. "You have to suppoert younger guys going through difficult times, but hypothetically, at times you need to give somebody a break from a role, and we've shown we can do that. We'll figure that out here in the coming days."

Cook, who didn't give up a home run in his first 40 appearances, gave up game-tying homers on Friday and Saturday.

The team's previous closer, Grant Balfour, has made 13 scoreless appearances. Balfour, 34, is 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA and seven saves. His last save came on May 5.