Motte gets chance to close

ST. LOUIS -- Jason Motte had done just about everything else the past two months so it was only fitting that he record his first save of the season Sunday. Motte pitched a perfect ninth inning to protect the Cardinals 7-4 over the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning his first save in more than a year to continue a run of dominance that is becoming historic. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 29 appearances dating back to June 23 and has allowed just one unearned run to score during that span. He's allowed just 11 hits in 22 innings to lower his ERA to 1.70 for the season. He's become virtually unhittable out of the bullpen, but his previous outings had come in middle relief. Sunday, the Cardinals gave the hard-throwing right-hander a chance to nail down the final three outs. "You give guys what they earn," said manager Tony La Rusa. "They make the decisions for you. Even last year, he was used in the seventh or eighth a lot of times. The ninth is a different experience and that was his first real save opportunity. If a couple guys get on base and that innings get nervous. To go 1-2-3 was very impressive. He'll get what he earns. They all do." The Cardinals seem interested in Motte as the potential closer next season. Fernando Salas has done well in his first year closing but a strikeout pitcher like Motte would appear to make more sense. An open-competition will likely occur in Spring Training with Motte, Salas, Lance Lynn, Eduardo Sanchez, Kyle McClellan and Mitchell Boggs among those competing to win the job. Motte briefly won the job to start the 2009 season as a rookie but blew his first save chance on Opening Day and lost out to eventual All-Star Ryan Franklin. He's improved as a setup man in each of his three seasons in the bullpen, becoming a dependable and dynamite weapon in key spots. While one could argue his current role of putting out fires in key jams earlier in the game is just as valuable, the Cardinals seem inclined to take a look at Motte in the ninth inning role in September. His overpowering fastball and lack of intimidation in key spots makes him an ideal closer candidate. "In the bullpen that's one of the things you strive to be," Motte said. "That's the guy you want to be in the bullpen. But for me, Salas has done a heck of a job. It's not my place to say this or that. Whether it's me or anyone else, whatever Tony says is what goes. "For me personally, I just go out there whenever I'm told. If it's in the ninth and I get a chance to close, then that's cool and I'm going to try to go out and get them out. If it's the sixth, it doesn't matter to me."