The term "closer" is not part of the River Cats' vocabulary.

It's not that the River Cats don't have candidates to finish games and preserve wins. Actually, they have several.

The River Cats' coaching staff helps prepare players for the major leagues. So relief pitchers are coached to be versatile enough to handle any situation when they are called into a game. They'll definitely play a big role when the River Cats begin the first round of the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the Reno Aces on Sept. 7.

"We call these guys 'end-of-the-game guys' … guys who we feel have pitched themselves into the end-of-the-game roles," pitching coach Scott Emerson said. "We're still trying to get (them) two innings here and there, so when the big leagues call they have a pitch count of about 45, 50 pitches."

Lately, Fernando Cabrera has received the most ninth-inning opportunities. He leads the River Cats with eight saves. Cabrera is one of 10 River Cats to save games this season, including Vinnie Chulk (four) and Joey Devine (three).

Former River Cat Willie Eyre saved nine games before opting out of his contract and becoming a free agent Aug. 1. He signed with the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 3.

"It's a role that I feel familiar with because I've been doing it the last couple years in the minors," Cabrera said of pitching the ninth inning. "I don't feel weird about it. I like that situation."

Emerson said Cabrera can handle it.

"When he has his day's rest and the game is on the line, he's definitely a guy we want out there in the ninth inning," he said.

One of the things Cabrera likes about his bullpen mates is their versatility. He said that comes in handy when a pitcher needs a day off.

"Everybody can pitch in any role," he said. "If you have guys who have pitched a couple days in a row, the next guy can step up and do it. There are a lot of choices you can use in the bullpen, so it's really helpful."

The River Cats' bullpen is tightly knit. Emerson said the veterans have mentored the younger pitchers. Chulk, in particular, has shared his experience.

"It comes with it when you're one of the older guys in the bullpen," said Chulk, who has pitched in the majors for the Toronto Blue Jays, Giants and Cleveland Indians. "Obviously, I'd like to be in the bullpen in Oakland and have them mentor me, but I'm having a good time out there and going over how we're going to attack hitters and stuff like that."

But it's not all business all the time. Chulk said the guys occasionally like to pull pranks. Specifically, he mentioned Justin Souza, who graduated from Galt High School and attended American River and Sacramento City colleges.

Souza, a ninth-round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2006, has impressed Emerson. Since Souza was traded to the A's midway through the 2009 season, he has played in Double-A Midland and Sacramento. The right-hander missed the latter part of last season because of a stress fracture in his pitching elbow.

"I've (coached) him for parts of three seasons," said Emerson, who was previously the pitching coach for Midland. "Coming off that arm surgery he had last year, I think he's done a great job. When he puts it all together and that breaking ball stays consistent – to go along with that good changeup he's got – he's got a great opportunity to pitch at a higher level."

The versatility the River Cats' bullpen possesses is especially important late in the season. Major league rosters can expand to 40 players Thursday, and A's are likely to bring a few River Cats up.

"It's been like that all season long," Emerson said. "We've had a bunch of guys go to the major leagues. Guys have stepped right in and performed well, and they've been a big part of our success this season."

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