"As Jose Valverde finished off the Tigers' 5-4 win over the Angels on Wednesday, Ron Washington's words hung in the air.

Washington, the Texas manager, explained earlier this week why he selected the Tigers' closer for this year's AL All-Star team.

"I chose Valverde simply because I wanted his experience at the end of the ballgame," said Washington, who will manage the AL team. "He certainly knows how to get three outs."

No loss is tougher to come back from than the one where a team blows a ninth-inning lead. After Miguel Cabrera's seventh-inning, two-run homer put the Tigers ahead, Valverde retired all three Angels he faced Wednesday -- the ball never left the infield -- for his 21st save in as many chances this season.

With his on-field dances and postgame clubhouse shouts, Valverde again had fun with baseball's most pressurized job.

"It's a lot of pressure, yes, but you have to enjoy it," he said. "Every single day, you have to enjoy every moment. I learned that when I was starting out with the Diamondbacks when I played with stars like Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grace and Steve Finley."

Now Valverde goes back to Arizona for the All-Star Game.

Valverde backs Penny's effort

Brad Penny had a few chances within the last year to get into Valverde's line of work.

"I had a few offers from teams to be their closer," Penny said Wednesday. "It's intense. It's pressure. Your adrenaline is going. You don't have to pace yourself like when you're a starter."

Penny signed with the Tigers to remain a starter. Now he watches Valverde save games for him, as on Wednesday against the Angels."