Josh Hader perfect in earning 16th save

Hader received the call to protect a narrow one-run lead in the final frame and required just eight pitches to slam the door against the bottom of San Francisco’s lineup. He retired Andrew Knizner and Christian Koss on a pair of pop ups before coaxing a game-ending grounder from Jung Hoo Lee. This latest effort came after tossing two scoreless frames earlier in the series on Monday night to pick up a win. The 32-year-old veteran closer has been simply magnificent, recording a microscopic 0.96 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 38/10 K/BB ratio across 28 innings since making his season debut back on June 3. He’s gone a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities during that span. He’s on track to finish as a top-10 closer, despite missing the first two months of the season to a biceps injury.

Hader hadn’t gotten more than three outs in an appearance this season, but the Astros asked him to continue after an 11-pitch ninth tonight and he needed only another 11 pitches to get through the 10th. Hader lowered his ERA to an even 1.00 through 27 innings. He’ll probably get Tuesday off after this, perhaps setting up a save chance for Bryan Abreu.

Hader’s save was his 15th of the season. He struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to slam the door on the Rangers. After starting the season on the injured list, Hader is enjoying a spectacular year with a 1.17 ERA.

Hader took the mound in the ninth to close out the game against the Angels with a one-run lead. He worked quickly, needing only four pitches to induce two groundouts and a flyout, shutting the door on the Angels for his 14th save of the season to go with a 1.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 33/10 K/BB ratio across 22 innings.

Hader walked two after the Astros’ unexpected ninth-inning comeback, but he was able to finish things off afterwards. He’s allowed just 10 hits while posting a 1.29 ERA in 21 innings this season.

Hader didn’t start the ninth inning with the Astros leading 4-0, but came in after back-to-back one-out singles made the score 4-1. The 32-year-old left-hander promptly struck out Luisangel Acuña and Braden Montgomery to end the game. Hader looks as good as ever this year with a 1.35 ERA.

Covering for Josh Hader who’d pitched in three of the Astros’ last four games, Abreu easily dispatched of the Marlins here. It was his first save since June 13th as Hader hasn’t missed a beat since returning from injury, so don’t expect any more save chances unless there’s a major shakeup in this bullpen at the trade deadline.

Hader struck out one in a 12-pitch inning. The Astros also had him finish an 8-4 game on Monday, so he’ll probably get Wednesday off after this, potentially putting Enyel De Los Santos or Bryan Abreu in line for a save.

It’s the first loss of the season for Hader. The 32-year-old gave up a pair of hits without recording an out, and then an RBI single from Brandon Nimmo gave the Rangers the win. Even with the struggle Sunday, Hader still has an ERA of 1.17, and to say he’s in no danger of giving up his closing gig is the understatement of understatements.

Using Hader for a third straight day wasn’t the plan. Alimber Santa opened the ninth with a 6-2 lead and gave up a homer and a single while getting two outs. The Astros went to Hader then, and the lefty allowed an infield single and a walk before striking out Dylan Crews to end the game. He’ll certainly be off Wednesday after this, so Bryan Abreu might wind up with a save chance.