Grant Balfour nailed down a save with a scoreless 10th inning in Thursday's extra innings win over the White Sox.

It was a nail biter, as Balfour gave up a leadoff single to Alejandro De Aza, who was then sacrificed to second base. After and Alex Rios groundout pushed De Aza to third, Adam Dunn sent a ball to the warning track in left field that Yoenis Cespedes hauled in. Balfour is now a perfect 14-for-14 in save chances and boasts a 1.42 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

Grant Balfour pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the A's win over the Rangers on Tuesday.

Balfour struck out a batter and now owns a 1.47 ERA through 18 1/3 innings this year. He has yet to blow a save in nine chances.

Grant Balfour converted his eighth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's win over the Royals.

Balfour walked a batter but was otherwise unburdened. He entered this weekend with six saves but has picked up a pair in consecutive 2-1 wins against the Royals. The typically reliable Balfour is eight-for-eight in save conversions and holds a 1.56 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Grant Balfour converted his fifth save of the season with a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

Balfour allowed a two-out single to Brett Gardner and then issued an intentional pass to Robinson Cano. He was able to put out the fire, though, getting a high fastball by Vernon Wells for his second strikeout of the inning. The fiery reliever is a perfect 5-for-5 in save chances this season, and he boasts a 2.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.

Grant Balfour picked up his first save of the season Saturday in the A's win over the Astros.

Balfour looked sharp, allowing no hits and striking out one of the three batters he faced. He emerged as an excellent fantasy closer last season and should again be a reliable option in 2013 even if the A's don't win as many games.

Grant Balfour (knee) threw a perfect inning while striking out one Thursday in his Cactus League debut.

The successful appearance followed a one-inning stint in a minor league game on Monday. Balfour is expected to make four more Cactus League appearances before the A's evaluate whether he's ready for the start of the season. It would be a surprise if they deem him unready.

Grant Balfour (knee) made a successful one-inning appearances in a minor league game Monday.

"It was fine," he said. "I wasn't thinking about (his knee) 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." Balfour is slated to make his Cactus League debut Thursday, which will be the first of five spring training outings. He should be ready for Opening Day if he can avoid a setback.

Grant Balfour (knee) is likely to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday.

Balfour first has to make it through a one-inning minor league appearance on Monday. The A's closer underwent right knee surgery last month but should be ready on Opening Day. He'll be a fine fantasy option this season.

Grant Balfour (knee) will face hitters again on Friday.

If the live batting practice session goes well, Balfour could be cleared to make his Cactus League debut on Monday. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month but has made a smooth recovery so far and should be the A's closer on Opening Day.

Grant Balfour (knee) is aiming to make his Cactus League debut by Monday.

Balfour threw to hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last month. He's also resumed running this week. The fiery closer will only have two weeks' worth of game action in order to get ready for Opening Day, but that should be enough as long as he doesn't have a setback.