Paul

Sewald

Sewald sandwiched strikeouts of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado around a Jackson Merrill flyout. He’s still blown just one save opportunity this season.

Sewald struck out the first two batters he faced, but then left a pinch in a bad spot to Jackson Chourio, and Chourio took advantage with a solo homer. Fortunately for Sewald and Arizona, that homer came with the D-backs holding a two-run advantage, so he still gets the save. That’s the 20th of the season for Sewald, and almost certainly not the last.

Brought into a 5-2 game, Sewald allowed a leadoff homer to Heliot Ramos to start the ninth and then gave up two more hits to score another run before Drew Gilbert and Matt Chapman popped out to end the game. Sewald also gave up three ultimately harmless runs last time out, so his ERA has suddenly jumped from 3.18 to 4.50. Still, he’s blown just one save all year, and until that changes, there isn’t much reason to speculate about his job.

Sewald came into the game in the ninth inning, but with the Diamondbacks leading 4-0 it technically wasn’t a save situation. Sewald couldn’t get the last out before allowing three runs and throwing 23 pitches. He was removed in favor of Brandyn Garcia, who got the last out and the save. Sewald is 18-of-19 in save opportunities this year and isn’t going to lose his job because of one poor outing.

Sewald retired the other three batters he faced, striking out two of them. Homers are always part of the deal with Sewald, but he has a 3.29 ERA despite allowing five in 27 1/3 innings this season. Sewald has thrown 37 pitches the last two days and worked four of the last five days, so he should be unavailable on Tuesday. Kevin Ginkel might get a save chance in his place.

Sewald has been one of the biggest draft-day values in fantasy baseball this year. He now has 17 of Arizona’s 19 saves, tying him for fifth in the majors. He worked around a walk on Sunday in Cincinnati, lowering his ERA to 3.08. The veteran reliever had a career-high 34 saves back in 2023, the only time he’s finished with more than 20. As long as the Diamondbacks don’t trade for a big-name closer at this summer’s deadline, Sewald will have a shot to set a new career-best at age 36.

Sewald retired all three batters he faced in the inning, kicking things off with a strikeout of Dane Myers. Sewald now has seven saves and two wins in his last 10 appearances and is allowing opposing hitters to hit just .143 in the month of June.

Sewald worked around a Will Smith double and fanned two in his inning before the Ketel Marte won the game in the bottom of the ninth. His ERA is down to 3.47.

Since taking his first blown save on May 13, Sewald has a win and six saves in his last seven appearances, allowing just one run in the process.

Sewald got the call to protect a one-run lead and needed just 12 pitches (eight strikes) to spin a drama-free frame. He got red-hot Casey Schmitt to pop out before striking out Rafael Devers and coaxing a harmless fly out from Matt Chapman to end it. The 36-year-old veteran has converted 14 of 15 save chances to go along with a strong 3.80 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 24/6 K/BB ratio across 21 1/3 innings of work.