Bullpen Report: August 27, 2019

During a limited slate of eight game, Monday could provide some clarity in the Rockies bullpen. Even though Jairo Diaz suffered his second blown save, he pitched in the ninth inning working after Carlos Estevez. Diaz recorded a strikeout of Dansby Swanson starting the ninth with a one run lead but yielded a triple to Francisco Cervelli. Billy Hamilton replaced Cervelli as a pinch runner and Diaz walked Rafael Ortega trying to set up a double play opportunity. However, a sacrifice fly by Adeiny Hechavarria tied the game. Diaz rebounded striking out Ronald Acuna to end the inning.

Colorado handed Diaz his fifth win when Ryan McMahon launched the game winning home run off of Jerry Blevins in the bottom of the inning. Anthony Swarzak started the ninth in a tied game on the road since Mark Melancon worked in three of the previous four games. Swarzak walked lead-off hitter, Nolan Arenado then departed with left-handed hitters Daniel Murphy and McMahon next in the order. Murphy struck out against Blevins prior to the walk-off homer by McMahon. Key takeaways here, Melancon gets a day of rest and Diaz moves ahead of Estevez in the Colorado hierarchy despite this outing.

For the first time since July 18th, Hector Neris allowed a run and a home run incurring his fifth blown save of the season. Josh Bell connected for his 33rd home run tying the game in the top of the ninth snapping Neris’ 13 game scoreless streak and six straight saves converted in one fell swoop. Mike Morin nets his first win working two scoreless innings giving up two hits and a walk in them. Michael Feliz collects his fourth loss coughing up a walk-off home run to Sean Rodriguez. Chris Stratton somehow escaped with two scoreless innings of relief needing 50 pitches to navigate two hits and four walks with one strikeout. Richard Rodriguez gets his fourth blown save serving up two home runs leading to three earned runs during his outing for Pittsburgh.

Rarely covered in the Bullpen Report, Aroldis Chapman surged to his 36th save and sits within two of his career best 38 set in both 2012 along with 2013 while in Cincinnati. Chapman fired a clean ninth in Seattle striking out two as he careens towards his first 40 save season barring injury. Saves chasers should note Chapman’s pitched in back-to-back outings so he likely sits tonight based on his usage patterns this year. He’s yet to appear in three consecutive days in 2019. This sets up Zack Britton for the save if provided for New York. Tommy Kahnle recorded his 25th hold tossing a clean eighth inning striking out two. This outing marks his 39th appearance out of 61 being hitless and scoreless.

Archie Bradley records his eighth save retiring the only hitter he faced in San Francisco. Bradley’s notched eight saves since taking over as closer on July 30th. He’s also been unscored upon in 18 of his last 21 appearances with a 1.54 ERA, .175/.272/.300 slash against in 23.1 innings with a 27:9 K:BB and 0.99 WHIP.

Rolling to his 38th save, Kirby Yates recorded three strikeouts while hitting a batter versus the Dodgers. Yates has converted 38 of 41 save chances this season with 88 strikeouts in 54 innings. Another potential save pivot could occur with San Diego since Yates has appeared in each of the last three games. Perhaps another Andres Munoz save chance lies in the offing if the Padres lead later this evening. Those searching for ratio protection should note Matt Strahm’s work as a reliever. In 20 innings of relief, he’s racked up 25 strikeouts against two walks resulting in a robust 28.4 strikeouts minus walks percentage, 2.46 FIP and 2.75 xFIP. In August, Strahm’s yet to issue a walk in 12 innings with 14 strikeouts, a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.

Quick Hits: John Gant gets his ninth win logging 2.1 scoreless innings giving up a walk with three strikeouts. Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless inning allowing a hit and striking out one. Carlos Martinez shook off some rust with a strikeout against the only hitter he faced preserving a Cardinals win on a non-save outing…Raisel Iglesias coughed up a home run to Jorge Alfaro along with ceding a triple to Lewis Brinson working in a non-save appearance but recovered striking out Martin Prado and Jon Berti quelling the rally. Iglesias has allowed at least a run in consecutive outings. No need to panic, but worth noting…Kansas City used two position players to absorb innings during a drubbing by Oakland at home. Alex Gordon and Humber Arteaga both took the mound. Jorge Lopez, one day removed from his first save, yielded five earned runs in 1.2 innings on five hits. Kyle Zimmer allowed six hits and a walk leading to four earned runs in 1.1 innings as well…A.J. Puk worked two scoreless frames for the A’s giving up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts…Both Carlos Carrasco and Dan Otero will make rehab appearances tonight for Cleveland. Each remains on track to join the team when rosters expand on Sunday.