Aroldis

Chapman

Chapman was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and managed to work around a leadoff single by Owen Caissie to preserve the win. The 38-year-old veteran has notched three saves in the last four days and is just three shy of 400 for his career. He’s recorded back-to-back 30-save campaigns for the Red Sox as his unexpected late-career renaissance shows zero signs of slowing down. He joins Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith as the only relievers with 10 seasons in which they compiled 30-plus saves. Unreal.

Chapman has two saves in three days after going 19 days without one. The save today was the 396th of his career.

Chapman made things a bit interesting as he issued a one-out walk to Buddy Kennedy to bring the tying run to the plate, but he rebounded to strike out Christian Koss and Jonah Cox to end it. He has now converted 28 of his first 30 save chances on the season while posting a minuscule 1.92 ERA and a 56/20 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings of work.

That was after Garrett Whitlock took a blown save for giving up the tying run in the eighth. Chapman got two quick outs to start the ninth but then gave up a single, a steal on what should have been a pickoff and a go-ahead double. The pickoff wasn’t converted into an out because Chapman was fairly slow getting the ball to Willson Contreras and then Contreras made a bad throw to second. Chapman warmed up to come into Saturday’s game and threw 23 pitches today, so he might be down Monday. Whitlock should be available to close.

Chase Meidroth hit the go-ahead homer with the automatic runner on base for one earned and one unearned run. It was just the second homer Chapman has allowed in 38 2/3 innings this season. The Red Sox went on pick him up in the bottom of the 10th, so he avoided a fourth loss.

Chapman has a win and eight saves in nine appearances since the All-Star break. The appearance tonight was his third in four days, so he’ll probably be rested Sunday. Garrett Whitlock could close then, assuming that he’s fine. He hasn’t worked since Wednesday and didn’t pitch in a close game tonight, which was curious.

Chapman very nearly gave up a game-tying homer to light-hitting Alika Williams, but the 406-foot shot to center bounced off the wall for a double. It was farthest Williams had ever hit a ball in 321 major league plate appearances. Chapman went on to strand the runner by striking out both Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz. It was Chapman’s second straight appearance and third in four days, so if the Red Sox have a save chance on Friday, it figures to go to Garrett Whitlock.

Chapman allowed a single and had another batter reach on an error, but he fanned the other three guys he faced. With nine saves and one win in 10 appearances. he’ll be on the short list of AL relievers of the month for July.

Chapman’s 391st career save moves his past Dennis Eckersley and into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time list. Next up is Billy Wagner at 422, so that’s obviously not happening this year. Chapman has a 1.87 ERA and is 24-for-26 in his save chances for Boston.

Chapman gave up a single and a walk, but he got a double play and then another groundout to end it. He moved into a tie with Dennis Eckersley for ninth place all-time in saves. He’s 23-for-25 this year. With the Red Sox using Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten to finish off the first game today, it’s possible Tyron Guerrero could get a save chance in game two.