54 Tom Wilhelmsen, RP

Mariners reliever Tom Wilhelmsen surrendered the game-tying home run in Tuesday's contest against the Angels.

Wilhelmsen, who entered the game in the eighth inning, served up a solo home run to Albert Pujols and was charged with his fifth blown save of the season. He yielded one run on two hits and one walk while striking out one in 1 2/3 innings pitched in a 3-2 win in extras.

Wilhelmsen has allowed seven runs over his last 3 2/3 innings. His ERA has sky-rocketed from 2.22 to 3.77 over that span.

Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen will work on locating his pitches in non-save situations for at least two or three outings, the Seattle Times reports. The team will mix-and-match at closer while Wilhelmsen is out of the role.

Wilhelmsen, who is 0-2 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 21:15 K:BB ratio and 16 saves in 28 2/3 innings this season, gave up five earned runs on three hits and two walks while recording just one out in his last appearance.

Obviously, if manager Eric Wedge pulls the plug on him -- which I don't expect to happen given the Mariners' lack of alternatives -- it changes everything, but right now, I expect Tom Wilhelmsen to be just fine.

Clearly, he's hit a rough patch, allowing 11 earned runs in his last eight appearances, but let's not forget he allowed just one in his first 20. The Orioles' Jim Johnson was similarly two-faced to begin the season, allowing 12 earned runs during a span of six appearances in May after allowing two in his first 19, and he's since come out of it. Nobody even thinks of him as a liability anymore.

Wilhelmsen's stuff is as good as it's always been. He's just not locating well -- "driving the ball downstairs," as Wedge put it. That's correctable.

If you're really in a panic, you can add Carter Capps as insurance for Wilhelmsen, but I still have the Mariners closer 18th in my relief pitcher rankings.

After allowing five runs in a third of an inning, Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen could be in danger of losing his job, according to MLB.com.

Manager Eric Wedge said he'll "have to talk about" the closer situation, indicating a change could be coming. Wilhelmsen has alternated between good and bad outings since late May. In his last eight appearances, Wilhelmsen has allowed at least a run five times. 

Wilhelmsen has a 3.77 ERA and a 3.17 FIP with 16 saves in 28 2/3 innings. 

Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen entered Wednesday's game against Houston in the top of the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead and left six batters later trailing 2-1 and the bases loaded. He eventually was charged with five earned runs for his fourth blown save in a 6-1 loss.

Wilhelmsen (0-2) had converted his previous four save chances, but he's allowed 11 earned runs over his last eight appearances. His ERA is 3.77.