Guts, guile serve 51s stopper well

Several pitchers auditioned for the role, but, as he has done at virtually every stop in his professional baseball career, Bubbie Buzachero proved to be the best man for the job.

"I’ve started and (pitched in) middle relief, but somehow at the end of every year, I find myself in the closer role," Buzachero, 28, said Friday before Las Vegas’ 12-6, 10-inning loss to Albuquerque at Cashman Field. "I think it fits my personality and my demeanor. I like to be the last person (pitching) at the end of the game, when the game’s on the line.

"I’m laid back off the field, but when I’m out there, I’m intense and get after it."

Since getting promoted to the 51s from Double-A New Hampshire on the same day Accardo left Las Vegas, Buzachero has compiled a 3-1 mark with a 3.86 ERA and seven saves in nine opportunities for the 51s. He has scattered 20 hits in 28 innings, with 21 strikeouts and seven walks.

"He’s done an outstanding job for us," Las Vegas pitching coach Dave LaRoche said. "He’s got a rubber arm, he can throw every day, and he has the perfect reliever mentality.

"He’s a short right-hander who isn’t overpowering, but he’s got the guts of a burglar. He’s not afraid of any situation or any hitter."

A self-described "5-foot-10, 100-and-nothing (pound), 90-mph right-handed pitcher," Buzachero said being aggressive is the key to his success.

"The biggest thing is going right after guys, not nibbling," he said. "(Getting) strike one is the biggest thing when you’re closing, and the first out."

Although his given name is Edward Dale Buzachero, the 51s closer said "no one calls me Edward."

He said his older sister dubbed him Bubbie. "When we were little, she couldn’t say brother. That turned into Bubba, and (then) Bubbie, and it’s stuck with me since," he said. "It’s funny, people ask me that all the time, but it’s the only name I’ve ever went by."

A 23rd-round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 2002, Buzachero was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2006 and pitched in their organization for three years before rejoining Toronto in mid-April.

After playing for Triple-A Buffalo in the pitcher-friendly International League the past two seasons, Buzachero was eager to prove he could succeed this year in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

"I’m glad that I’m over here now, because if you can pitch out here, you can pitch in the big leagues," he said.

In his eighth year in the minors, where he is 29-27 overall with a 3.39 ERA, Buzachero still patiently is awaiting his first call to the majors.

"I’m not content with being in Triple A — I want to make it to the big leagues — but I’m going to enjoy my time here," he said. "I’m still living a dream, just the minor league side of it."

• NOTES — 51s right fielder Travis Snider went 3-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. … Former 51s outfielder Mitch Jones went 4-for-6 with two doubles and a leadoff home run in the 10th inning, his 29th homer of the season.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.