Emilio

Pagán

Pagán’s save was his 25th of the season. He pitched around a lead-off singled to preserve a one-run lead for the Reds. Pagán certainly has the trust of manager Terry Francona, picking up 57 saves under the skipper over the last two seasons.

Pagán was summoned to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and managed to work around a one-out walk to Michael Busch to preserve the win. The 35-year-old veteran stopper has converted all 17 of his save opportunities since the All-Star break.

Working with a one-run lead, Pagán gave up a leadoff single to Brice Turang, but he had no further issues afterwards. He’s now 16-for-16 saving games since the All-Star break. He’s also 3-0 during the span.

Pagán was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Brewers with a two-run lead. He struck out the first batter, then loaded the bases on a double, a walk, and a base hit. A pop-out held the runners before Pagán generated a flyout to end the game with his 21st save of the season.

Pagán surrendered a homer to Pete Crow-Armstrong in a three-run game on Sunday. Tonight, it was Fernando Tatis Jr. going deep in a two-run game. It’s the seventh homer Pagán has allowed in 34 1/3 innings this season, but he’s 20-for-23 saving games. He’s 13-for-13 since coming off the injured list a couple of months ago.

Pagán had a three-run lead to work with tonight. He did give up another long shot to Seiya Suzuki after PCA’s homer with two outs, but it was caught just in front of the ivy-covered wall at Wrigley. Pagan has a 2.33 ERA and is 12-for-12 saving games since coming off the injured list two months ago.

Pagan struck out Ian Happ in between flyouts from Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner. His velocity was also strong again for a second straight outing after a mysterious drop last week, so it looks like nothing further will come of that. He has seven saves and one win in nine appearances this month. Fortunately, his one bad outing while his velocity was down came with a three-run lead; he gave up two runs but got the save anyway.

That makes 17 saves for Pagán this season. He missed time earlier in the year but regained Cincinnati’s locked-in closer role upon returning. He’s allowed just three earned runs in 15 innings since the All-Star break.

Pagán allowed a two-run homer to Jordan Walker before ending the comeback attempt. It marked the first runs he’s given up since July 19 as the veteran reliever has performed admirably since returning from injury. The Reds’ offense could limit save chances down the stretch, but Pagán remains Terry Francona’s go-to option in the ninth.

Pagán needed 11 pitches to get through the frame, with his last out coming on a fly-out by Otto Lopez. Pagán has now converted on nine straight save opportunities and hasn’t blown a save since May 4th.