Closer Salomon Torres suffered his sixth blown save Sunday when he gave up a run in the ninth inning against Pittsburgh.

But for the most part Torres has been a godsend after the Brewers' Plan A for the bullpen blew up when Eric Gagne faltered as closer and then went on the disabled list. In many ways Torres has been as effective -- and certainly more cost effective -- than last year's All Star closer, Francisco Cordero, now closing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Torres and Cordero each have 25 saves and six blown saves. Torres has pitched 66 1/3 innings, allowing 55 hits and just 3 home runs with a 2.58 ERA. He has walked 26 and struck out 44 and has a 6-3 record.

Cordero has pitched 57 1/3 innings, allowing 51 hits and 5 homers. He's walked 31 and struck out 65 with a 3.77 ERA. His record is 4-4.

The biggest difference is in financial commitment. Torres is making $3.2 million this season and the Brewers have an option for next year at $3.75 million. Cordero, meanwhile, is Cincinnati's highest paid player after signing a four-year, $46 million contract as a free agent during the winter. He's making $8.5 million this year and $12 million in each of the next three years.

Manager Ned Yost says his confidence level in Torres is comparable to that of Cordero's last year, although the two closers have distinctly different styles.

"I feel real good every time he comes to the mound," Yost said. "I have no hesitation to use him in those situations. He's just done a great job. He comes in ... boom, boom, boom."

Those booms would be strikes leading to outs, not booming hits.

"Salomon needs more pitches," Yost said. "You're looking for somebody to come in and throw strikes and have a good downward action sinkerball to keep the ball on the ground."