Marlins Closer Meltdown Watch: Núñez Starts the Season off Ugly

Leo Núñez pitching against the Mets last night.

We've already put our asses out there by saying we think the Marlins are going to contend this year. That said, you don't need to be Miss Cleo to foresee that this squad's ragtag relievers are going to lose us a lot of games -- and Fredi Gonzalez is going to shuffle through closers like A-Rod shuffles through syringes. All season, we'll update you on which hapless schlub has inherited the ninth inning and how soon it will be until he loses the job in spectacular fashion.

As the bullpen turns...

Last night's closer: Leo Núñez

What happened?: Núñez, the major league's least intimidating closer -- the guy has the build of Elian Gonzalez-- came in with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, bases loaded, trying to preserve a two-run lead against the Mets. Walk. Balk. Tie game, blown save. The next inning, Núñez walks two more.

How atrocious was it?: Think Brooke Hogan's rap album.

The Marlins ended up winning in extra innings, no thanks to Núñez, or most every other member of a bullpen that did its best impression of a seven-layer burrito -- you know, just inviting runs. Núñez blew over a fifth of his save chances last year. If given the chance, he may just exceed that watermark of futility in 2010.

Tim Wood, though, pitched a perfect tenth for the save. Do we have a dark horse candidate for the closer position? Wait, who?

The odds that last night's closer has the job in a week: 95 percent. Unfortunately.