Blaine Neal

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**Blaine Neal**

Detroit Tigers — No. --
Relief pitcher
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 3, 2001 for the Florida Marlins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Win-Loss	5-4
Earned run average	5.08
Strikeouts	93
Former teams
Florida Marlins (2001-2003) San Diego Padres (2004) Boston Red Sox (2005) Colorado Rockies (2005)

Blaine Neal (born April 6, 1978 in Marlton, New Jersey) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers organization. Previously, Neal played with the Florida Marlins (2001-2003), San Diego Padres (2004), Boston Red Sox (2005), and Colorado Rockies (2005). He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

Neal attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, NJ and graduated in 1996.

In a five-season major league career, Neal has compiled a 5-4 record with a 5.08 ERA and 124 innings in 113 games. He has a 1.82 strikeout-to-walk ratio (93-to-51).

Neal throws a 94 mph fastball, with a good slider and a sinker. He pitched a career-high 40 games in 2004 with San Diego and went 1-1 with a 4.07 ERA, but was in a competition with several others for the final spot on the pitching staff. He spent the previous three seasons with Florida, and compiled a 3-0 record in 54 total appearances. The 6'5" righthander is 28-22 with 86 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 315 career minor league appearances, all but six in relief.

Before the 2005 season, Boston acquired Neal from San Diego in exchange for outfielder Adam Hyzdu. On May 11, 2005, Neal was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies, becoming a free agent at the end of the season. On January 9, 2006, Neal signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, but was released during spring training. Neal signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 22, 2006, and became a free agent after the season ended. During the 2007 season, Neal pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse SkyChiefs. Neal signed with the Detroit Tigers for the 2008 season.