Rico Garcia picks up ninth save vs. Mets Monday

Garcia got the call to protect a one-run lead in the final frame after Pete Alonso’s go-ahead homer and needed just 17 pitches to slam the door. He’ll continue splitting the closing duties with Andrew Kittredge, and possibly Félix Bautista now that he’s back in the mix, over the final week of the season.

Helsley’s impending return would provide a massive lift for the Orioles during the final two weeks as they sit just three games out of the final playoff spot in the American League. Craig Albernaz has been rolling with a multi-pronged closer-by-committee approach that includes Rico Garcia, Andrew Kittredge, Yennier Cano and Josh Walker for the past couple weeks. They also have former stopper Félix Bautista on the verge of returning from the injured list. Helsley, who has been out with elbow discomfort since early July, figures to step into the closer role once he’s activated.

This ninth inning got hairy for Alex Hoppe and the Orioles after four hits and two runs turned this game into a save situation. With Alejandro Kirk coming up as the tying run, they called on Garcia to get them out of the jam and he did so with six straight breaking balls before eventually forcing a ground ball out. That’s now back-to-back days where Garcia has earned a save after Andrew Kittredge let up four runs in his last two outings.

With the score 9-5, there was no save situation to start the ninth, which probably played a role in Garcia getting to stay in and make his longest appearance since July 3. He’s allowed one run in 12 2/3 innings over his last 14 outings.

Garcia needed just 12 pitches to get through the inning, with his strikeouts coming against Chandler Simpson and Jorge Mateo. This is Garcia’s first save since July 27th, as the O’s continue to cycle through different relievers in save situations.

Garcia got the call to protect a three-run lead in the final frame after Andrew Kittredge worked a scoreless eighth inning. He needed just 17 pitches (10 strikes) to dispatch the Tigers and preserve the win. He struck out Matt Vierling and Kevin McGonigle before getting Dillon Dingler to pop out in foul territory to end it. Garcia should continue factoring into Baltimore’s late-inning mix along with Kittredge and Tyler Wells while Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the injured list.

Helsley had been warming up, but then sat down in the bullpen and was caught on camera flexing his elbow and grabbing it, which didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in his health. Considering he was already on the injured list earlier this season with elbow inflammation, this is not a great sign. We’ll wait for more word from the Orioles, but Rico Garcia would operate as the high-leverage reliever again if Hesley were to miss time, but that would not mean he gets every save chance.

Garcia has earned three saves during Ryan Helsley’s absence, but he has now given up runs in three of his last four appearances, taking his ERA from 0.68 to 1.82. With Helsley set to return, it seems fine to drop Garcia in mixed leagues now.

Helsley, who is coming back from elbow inflammation, averaged 97.9 mph with his nine fastballs, which is just a tad down from his 98.7 mph average on the year. He might be activated after the off day Monday, though the Orioles might have him set up for Rico Garcia a time or two before returning him to the closer’s role.

Helsley receives the green light to return to game action after completing a live batting practice session earlier this week. The hard-throwing 31-year-old closer has been out recovering from elbow inflammation since late April. He’ll need a couple rehab outings to round back into shape before returning to Baltimore’s bullpen, which will bump Rico Garcia back into a setup role.