White Sox pitching coach defends struggling Belisario

Ronald Belisario hasn't earned himself many fans with his performance this season, but Chicago White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper isn't among those eager to vilify the 31-year-old reliever.

"Beli has come under a lot of fire," Cooper told MLB.com. "I've seen over the years that our fans turn against somebody like that who just lets them down at times." 

Belisario, who signed a one-year, $3-million deal with the White Sox last winter, labored to a 5.54 ERA across 58 appearances this season, vacillating between a handful of different roles. His stint as the team's closer was particularly disastrous, as he managed an 8.44 ERA from May 20 to June 27, blowing three saves while allowing a .404 opponents' batting average.

"This guy wasn't acquired to close," Cooper said. "He tried to close. It didn't work out. But he's done well in many other situations. We had to call on some people because we were strapped."