by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour stayed perfect in save opportunites with his eighth Saturday against the Royals. He walked one in a scoreless inning and dropped his ERA to 1.56 in 17 1/3 innings.
Grant Balfour picks up save No. 7
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour entered Friday's contest against the Royals in the ninth inning with a one-run lead.
Balfour needed just 16 pitches as he struck out one and retired the side in order to secure a 2-1 victory. He has a 1.65 ERA and has converted all seven of his save opportunities.
Grant Balfour picks up sixth save
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour notched his sixth save Saturday against the Mariners. Balfour came on with a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning and was able to keep Seattle off the scoreboard.
He did issue a walk and single in the inning but recorded a pair of strikeouts before getting Kyle Seager to ground out to second base to end the game.
Balfour has now converted on each of his last 24 save chances dating back to last year.
Grant Balfour nets 23rd straight save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour extended his streak of consecutive recorded saves to 23 on Sunday in New York. It wasn't that easy, but he got the job done.
Balfour needed 24 pitches and allowed a walk and a base hit, but struck out two for his fifth save of the year. His ERA is 2.03.
The 35-year-old closer has recorded saves in back-to-back appearances after going four straight appearances without one.
Grant Balfour collects one-out save
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour notched his fourth save Friday night against the Yankees. Balfour came on with a 2-0 lead and two outs in the ninth inning and was able to strike out Eduardo Nunez to secure the win.
Balfour is 4 for 4 in save chances and has not allowed a run in each of his last three appearances.
Grant Balfour works non-save situation
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour worked another scoreless inning in another non-save situation Tuesday night against the Angels.
Balfour, who hasn't earned a save since April 17, walked a batter in an otherwise spotless inning. His ERA is 2.25.
Grant Balfour searching for fourth save
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour made his first appearance since Wednesday in Sunday's series finale against the Orioles. He entered in the ninth inning with his team trailing by one and gave up back-to-back doubles. The right-hander would only be charged with the one run as he made it through the frame without allowing another run.
Balfour has a 3.00 ERA through nine appearances while converting all three of his save chances. He has not earned a save since April 17, however.
Grant Balfour works scoreless inning
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour, who hadn't pitched since April 17 with his team losing four games and winning one blowout over the past week, worked a scoreless eighth inning Wednesday, walking two batters and striking out two.
Balfour didn't factor in the decision in the Athletics' 6-5 loss to the Giants, but he lowered his ERA to 2.25.
Grant Balfour notches third save
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour notched his third save of the season in Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Astros despite surrendering a solo home run to Rick Ankiel to lead off the ninth inning.
It was just the second run of the season surrendered by Balfour, who also gave up a solo home run in his first appearances of the season April 2.
Grant Balfour sharp for second save
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour had a solid ninth inning to earn his second save Tuesday night against the Astros.
Balfour struck out two batters and needed 11 pitches to finish off Houston in a 4-3 win.
Balfour has only had two save chances, but he's been lights out to start the year with a 1.50 ERA.
Grant Balfour pitches an inning
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour pitched the ninth inning in an 11-2 win over the Astros Monday.
Balfour, getting some work in a non-save situation, went 1-2-3 with a strikeout. He needed 20 pitches.
Balfour has just one save to open the year in five appearances. He's given up one run on four hits with three strikeouts.
Grant Balfour pitches scoreless inning
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour pitched a scoreless ninth-inning in the team's extra-innings game against the Tigers Friday night, giving up one hit and striking out one. Balfour has a 2.25 ERA in his first four innings of the season but just one save in four appearances.
Grant Balfour lowers ERA
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour made his second straight scoreless appearance Tuesday night against the Angels. He entered in the ninth inning and allowed two baserunners but was able to make it through the frame unscathed to secure a 9-5 win.
Balfour lowered his ERA from 4.50 to 3.00.
Grant Balfour picks up first save
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour notched his first save of the season during Saturday's contest against the Astros.
Balfour entered the game in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He needed just 10 pitches to retire the side and close out a 6-3 victory. He did not allow a hit and finished with a strikeout. The right-hander has a 4.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP through his first two outings of the season.
Grant Balfour serves up long ball in debut
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour made his season debut on Tuesday night against the Mariners and got off to a rough start. He came on in the ninth inning and surrendered a leadoff homer to Michael Morse.
The right-hander was able to settle down after that, however, and gave up just one more hit over his inning of work. Balfour, who underwent knee surgery in February, did not factor in the decision in a 7-1 loss.
Healthy Grant Balfour set for opener
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Six weeks removed from surgery on his right knee, Athletics reliever Grant Balfour has returned to full strength and will serve as the team's closer on opening day, MLB.com reports. Balfour appeared in four Cactus League games this spring and a handful of minor-league outings to showcase his knee has properly healed.
The right-hander allowed his first run of the spring Friday against San Francisco, as he worked three scoreless innings before the outing. He also has four strikeouts and no walks.
Grant Balfour charged with first run of spring
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour took the mound for his fourth appearance of the spring Friday night against the Giants at AT&T Park.
Balfour entered the game in the eighth inning and allowed a leadoff triple to Nick Noonan before yielding a run-scoring single to Angel Pagan. He allowed one run on two hits in an inning of work. He also struck out two as his ERA rose to 2.25 this spring.
Grant Balfour with another perfect outing
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour made his third appearance of the Cactus League on Tuesday against the Indians. He worked a perfect seventh inning.
Balfour, who has been recovering from right-knee surgery, has yet to surrender a hit through three innings this spring while striking out two.
Grant Balfour with another perfect inning
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/24/2013) Athletics closer Grant Balfour made his second relief appearance of the spring since having knee surgery during Sunday's contest against the Dodgers. Balfour, who came on in the sixth, pitched a perfect inning as he struck out one in a 7-4 victory. He has yet to allow a run through two innings of work in Cactus League play.
Grant Balfour makes spring debut
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Athletics pitcher Grant Balfour made his spring debut Thursday, pitching a scoreless sixth inning and recording one strikeout.
Balfour has been recovering from right-knee surgery. The A's will give him a few more appearances before determining whether he'll be ready for opening day.
"I was really happy with the way I threw," Balfour told the Mercury News. "I didn't feel anything with the knee, didn't even think about it."
Grant Balfour to make Cactus League debut
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour, who has been recovering from mid-February knee surgery, wiill make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Reds.
Grant Balfour finally steps on spring mound
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) Athletics projected closer Grant Balfour made his first game appearance of the spring on Monday, reports MLB.com. Balfour faced minor-league hitters but reported good health following the appearance.
Balfour should be fully recovered from minor surgery on his right knee by opening day. He made 17 pitches Monday and felt good. "It was fine," he said. "I wasn't thinking about it at all, so now it's about getting ready and going through those speed bumps I get. It's spring training -- same old, same old, trying to get my arm going."
The 35-year-old Balfour is expected to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday against Cincinnati. He should get five appearances before regular-season play starts on April 1.
"I wanted to go out there today because it doesn't really do me much going over there," he said. "I know I needed to get that out of the way, though, I guess. I think I had more intensity going into live batting practice than I did today. For some reason I just can't really seem to get it going in those games over there. That's all right. I got my pitches in and an inning under my belt, too."
Grant Balfour to make spring debut Tuesday
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013)Grant Balfour is likely to make his cactus league debut on Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reported Monday. The Athletics closer has been rehabilitating from a February knee surgery. If the knee holds up and Balfour remains healthy, he will be Oakland's opening day closer for the second straight season.
Grant Balfour to face hitters Friday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/14/2013) Athletics reliever Grant Balfour will throw live batting practice on Friday. If all goes well, Balfour could be in line to start pitching in spring training games. Balfour has missed the entire spring after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month. He will likely be named the team’s closer if he’s healthy by the start of the season.
Balfour increasing workload
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) The San Francisco Chronicle reports A's closer Grant Balfour will throw to hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery in mid-February. Manager Bob Melvin said Balfour, who has been throwing bullpen sessions, might progress to pitching in spring games if all goes well Tuesday. Balfour has been cleared to start running as well.
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/9/2013) Oakland relief pitcher Grant Balfour hurled his fourth bullpen session Saturday since having knee surgery last month as he continues to make massive strides to be ready for the start of the regular season. The Athletics are hoping Balfour can make five appearances in Cactus League play before opening day. "He's on a good schedule right now," manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com on Saturday. "If he continues at the pace he's on right now and there are no setbacks, he certainly would be ready for the season."
Balfour throws third BP session
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (3/6/2013) Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour threw off a bullpen mound for the third time Wednesday since having knee surgery last month, as he continues to work his way back. Balfour upped his workload to 40 pitches in the session, from 25 and 35 in his previous two. Balfour likely is not far from simulated games and then real Cactus League action.
Balfour has no time to waste
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/1/2013) Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour threw off a mound for the first time since having arthroscopic knee surgery last month and could be ready for game action within two weeks, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Balfour mixed his entire arsenal during the 25-pitch session and said he experienced only minor stiffness in his knee. "I have to, I'm going to need it," he said about his rapid rehab schedule. "It's going to take me a full month to get ready."
Balfour ready for mound work?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/28/2013) A's manager Bob Melvin told reporters Thursday closer Grant Balfour (knee surgery) made 35 throws from flat ground Wednesday. He will meet with the doctor Thursday and might be cleared to throw off the mound next time out.
Balfour ahead of schedule
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/25/2013) A's manager Bob Melvin said Monday closer Grant Balfour is ahead of schedule in his recovery from mid-February knee surgery. Melvin said the main problem has been trying to slow Balfour down. Balfour threw from flat ground Monday. He said he used all of his pitches and felt great, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Balfour said he will throw again from flat ground later in the weekend and might progress to throwing off a mound after that.
Balfour already playing catch
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/19/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour, who had surgery to repair a torn meniscus Thursday, began playing catch Tuesday. "Heck, he wanted to play catch the day after," manager Bob Melvin said, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
Balfour receives A's for effort
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/15/2013) Less than 20 hours after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour started rehabbing his right knee at the team's spring training facility Friday. Balfour said he is determined to be ready to pitch following his initial timetable -- four to six weeks -- and be available for opening day. "It will work out fine," Balfour told The Oakland Tribune. "It's just that the timing is a little unfortunate. I've got to get ready (for the season) and the best way to do that is to dive straight into workouts."
Balfour out 4-6 weeks
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) A's closer Grant Balfour underwent successful surgery Thursday to repair a torn meniscus, the team announced. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, but Balfour could be ready for the start of the season. "I feel good about getting it done now. It will allow me to get ready for Game 1 of the season," Balfour said in a statement. "I knew the way I was feeling I wouldn't have been able to pitch through it all season long." If Balfour misses the start of the season, Ryan Cook and Sean Doolittle would be options to close games.
