Melvin: “I think you certainly don’t overreact over one blown save”

Less than 24 hours after Brian Fuentes blew a save opportunity by surrendering a walk-off, three-run homer to Josh Willingham in a 3-2 A’s loss, their seventh straight, manager Bob Melvin assured reporters he still has confidence in the veteran. Fans have been eager to see righty Ryan Cook slide into the ninth-inning role, but I don’t see that happening in the immediate future. Fuentes, who took over for Grant Balfour earlier in the month, is still the closer, and the A’s seem to like Cook in the eighth, anyway.

“That’s his first blown save,” Melvin said. “He feels worse about it than anyone here, so I know he’s itching to get back on the mound and get another opportunity to do it. Really, you’re trying to show confidence in him to get him back out there. I think you certainly don’t overreact over one blown save. Now, because of the fact that we lost a few games in a row, there’s a bit more magnitude to it, but he’s our option in that role right now.”

In other news, it’s just a scheduled day off for Brandon Inge, who will be back in the lineup for Friday’s series opener in Kansas City.

On the A’s site today:

A’s hoping for jolt in Cespedes return

Cowgill’s play forces tough roster decision

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