Bullpen Report: July 28, 2019

Excitement from signing Craig Kimbrel could be shifting to concern for Cubs fans. Kimbrel suffered his second blown save allowing two home runs resulting in three earned runs without recording an out in Milwaukee. Christian Yelich hit a solo shot leading off the inning, then a walk to Tyler Saladino preceded a two-run walk-off home run by Keston Hiura in the bottom of the 10th inning. This outing snapped Kimbrel’s consecutive save streak at six, but concern lies within four home runs yielded in 10.2 innings this season along with eight walks resulting in a 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. There’s time for Kimbrel to round into form, but with three teams within one game in the division, it’s a fine line to walk, no pun intended.

Freddy Peralta coughed up a solo home run to Albert Almora in the top of the 10th giving the Cubs a one run lead. But, he garners the win as a result of the rally in the bottom of the inning. Peralta seems to be cementing his role as second in line for high leverage with Milwaukee. He’s recorded two wins and a save in his last three appearances giving up the one earned run over four innings with six strikeouts versus one walk. Limiting free passes will ultimately determine Peralta’s success as a reliever over the last two months.

Ceding a four run lead in the ninth inning, Tampa Bay’s relievers once again struggled. Oliver Drake did not register an out giving up a double to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. then walked Eric Sogard leading to a three-run home run by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Adam Kolarek replaced Drake retiring Cavan Biggio then the Rays replaced him with Colin Poche for the save chance. Poche struck out Danny Jansen before serving up a home run to Brandon Drury tying the game. Of interest, passing over Emilio Pagan with two right-handed batters due up for Poche. Pagan took over in the bottom of the 11th inning walking two but escaping the inning unscored upon. However, in the 12th, he yielded the walk-off winning home run to Teoscar Hernandez leading off the inning.

Daniel Hudson nets his sixth win as a result working a clean top of the 12th striking out one. Ken Giles tossed a clean 10th inning after David Phelps logged a clean ninth with a strikeout. Tim Mayza filled in the gap working a scoreless 11th inning striking out two. For this game, the Blue Jays bullpen not only outlasted the Rays, it outperformed them.

After a five day respite, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean ninth with two strikeouts en route to his 18th save. This outing snapped a three game streak allowing at least a run by Iglesias. He’s been in trade rumors and could thrive with a change in scenery. So far in July, Iglesias owns an enticing 12:2 K:BB rate with a 0.96 WHIP and 4.83 ERA. Hope lies within his 3.09 xFIP this month. Michael Lorenzen recorded his ninth hold working 1.2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk with a strikeout. Wandy Peralta gets his second hold with 1.1 clean innings.

A bumpy ride, but Mychal Givens held on for his ninth save yielding a run over 1.1 innings allowing a hit and two walks with two strikeouts. He’s given up runs in consecutive outings but notched a save in three of his last five appearances. Richard Bleier garnered his second win with a clean inning striking out one. Ty Buttrey suffered his fifth loss allowing two hits and two earned runs in one-third of an inning.

Some trade news with Jake Diekman heading to the A’s bullpen. He may not report until Tuesday but will bolster its depth giving them another left-handed reliever for high leverage. Miami dealt Sergio Romo to the Twins. Romo could serve the role vacated by Blake Parker as the right handed complement to Taylor Rogers. This shifts Nick Anderson atop the Marlins hierarchy, however, his time there could be fleeting:

The assumption is Nick Anderson will close, but there is a chance Anderson may be dealt by the #TradeDeadline #Marlins

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 28, 2019

Owners looking for the next save for Miami will add Anderson if he’s available and hope he does not get moved. Stay tuned.

Quick Hits: Matt Barnes notched his 18th hold striking out four in 1.1 innings giving up a hit. Nathan Eovaldi struggled again allowing three hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts in an inning. Brandon Workman pitched a clean ninth with a four run lead striking out two…Chad Green yielded five hits leading to four earned runs in 2.1 innings with two strikeouts…A non-save outing for Alex Colome resulted in a clean ninth with a strikeout. Aaron Bummer pitched two-thirds of an inning walking one. Evan Marshall logged 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit with two strikeouts…Save number nine for Liam Hendriks striking out two and giving up a hit. In July, Hendriks has pitched 10.2 innings with a robust 16:1 K:BB and 1.69 ERA…Jose LeClerc retired the only hitter he faced via strikeout. He’s fired 5.2 clean innings over his last seven appearances with nine strikeouts.

**Post-publish update: Seattle made the following roster move which will be updated on Monday in our closer hierarchy:

The #Mariners have announced the following roster moves: Reinstate RHP Hunter Strickland from 60-day IL; Option RHP Matt Carasiti to AAA Tacoma (postgame 7/27); Transfer RHP Félix Hernández from 10-day IL to 60-day IL.

— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) July 28, 2019