Petricka did not appear in a save chance against the Royals on Tuesday. Zach Putnam earned the save, but Petricka was up and throwing in the bullpen in case he was needed. Petricka blew the save Monday, so the day off Tuesday was likely just a chance to rest after an erratic appearance.

Petricka blew his fourth save of the season Monday, allowing a pair of runs in the ninth inning against the Royals. Petricka hurt himself with a run-scoring wild pitch before Lorenzo Cain hit a walk-off infield single off of the White Sox closer. Petricka has had his troubles since taking over the closer role, but still owns a nifty 2.83 ERA and has recorded 13 saves on the season.

Petricka pitched a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to earn the save over the A's. The appearance was his first since leaving the team over the weekend to be with his wife as she delivered the couple's first daughter. Petricka had back-to-back poor showings in August, but he has now thrown four consecutive scoreless frames. He should be safely seated as the Sox's closer for the remainder of the season.

Petricka will miss the rest of the White Sox's current series against the White Sox following the birth of his child, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Petricka will miss at least two games while on paternity leave, and it remains to be seen if he will miss any additional games beyond that. The White Sox have not said who will act as the closer in Petricka's absence, but Zach Putnam seems like the top candidate to fill in.

Petricka gave up a hit and a walk but escaped Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Tigers with his 10th save of the season. Petricka tossed 18 pitches in the appearance, but he hadn't pitched on any of the previous three days, so he may very well be available should another save opportunity present itself in the nightcap. While Petricka gave up five runs while recording just four outs in his previous two appearances, it appears he's still the preferred option over Matt Lindstrom.

Petricka gave up a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to take the loss Tuesday against the Indians. Petricka entered the inning with the game knotted at 6-6, but quickly served up a double and home run before he was pulled without recording an out. With seven runs allowed over his last four innings, Petricka's standing as the closer could be in serious jeopardy, especially after his biggest threat for the gig, Zach Putnam, covered 1.2 scoreless frames in Tuesday's contest.

Petricka took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday after he allowed a 10th inning three-run home run to Brian McCann. The home run was just the second one surrendered by Petricka all season, with the other one coming in middle relief duty in mid-April. Petricka has only earned three saves in August, but that has had more to do with a lack of opportunities than a lack of ability.

Petricka pitched a perfect ninth in a non-save situation Wednesday in a loss to the Orioles. The White Sox closer was just getting some work, since he hasn't had a save opportunity for a few days and Chicago has a day off Thursday.

Manager Robin Ventura said Petricka will remain the White Sox's closer even with Matt Lindstrom (ankle) returning from the disabled list Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports. Of course, these comments were made before Petricka blew the save against the Giants on Tuesday, but we doubt Ventura would flip his opinion so quickly. The blown save was Petricka's third of the season, but he has only allowed runs in three appearances since late-June.

Petricka blew his third save of the year Tuesday, allowing two runs on four hits in just 0.2 innings pitched before being pulled for Zach Putnam in the ninth inning. Petricka's outing was a big step back, as he had recorded five saves while allowing just one run in his last ten appearances (spanning 9.1 innings) prior to Tuesday. Let's see if the always indecisive Robin Ventura sticks with Petricka at closer. After all, Petricka does own a fine 2.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 58.2 innings pitched.