Seranthony

Domínguez

Domínguez let this one get closer than it had to be. Bobby Witt Jr. socked a two-out, two-run homer to cut the White Sox’s lead to one before Domínguez finally shut the door by striking out Jac Caglianone to end it. He’s still had a solid season overall with 10 saves on 12 chances, but has been susceptible to the home run ball with four across 18.2 innings of work.

Domínguez got the decision after Derek Hill homered in the bottom of the inning, and Bryan Hudson closed things out for his second save. Domínguez remains the White Sox’s primary closer with his nine saves in 11 tries this year.

Domínguez only threw 12-of-23 pitches for strikes. He has the worst strike rate in the team’s bullpen but now has nine of their 12 saves on the season. Grant Taylor still isn’t being used like a closer-in-waiting, so the expectation remains that this is Domínguez’s job to lose.

Domínguez entered in a 4-0 game, but since the bases were loaded and the tying run was at the plate, he gets the save by recording the final two outs. He’s now up to eight of them on the season, and the scoreless outing lowers the ERA to 3.95.

After the White Sox tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, the White Sox brought Domínguez in for the top of the tenth. He struck out Josh Lowe to start the inning before inducing two groundouts to send his team into the bottom of the inning with a chance to win, which they did. Domínguez now has two wins on the season to go along with seven saves and a 4.15 ERA.

Domínguez allowed a walk, but didn’t give up a hit and was able to get out of the outing while throwing just 12 pitches. He’s up to seven saves on the season, and he hasn’t allowed a run in five of his last six appearances. This is still one of the worst closing options in the sport, but he’s likely to keep this job until the White sox move him near the deadline.

As there is closer carnage around the league, Domínguez is swimming right along with six saves. Only Mason Miller, David Bednar, Paul Sewald, and Riley O’Brien have more so far. Of course, it hasn’t all been a walk in the park, but Domínguez has converted three consecutive save opportunities and has plenty of job security at this moment.

Domínguez has converted five straight save chances since blowing his first opportunity on March 29. He should be ready to pitch again Friday after throwing only 12 pitches today.

Dominguez did allow a walk while throwing 11-of-19 pitches for strikes, but he was able to keep that runner at bay and protect a three-run lead. That’s the fourth save of the season for the 31-year-old, and it’s likely he’ll remain in the closing spot for the White Sox for the foreseeable future. That’s not quite the compliment as it would be for most teams, but saves are saves.

Domínguez came on after the White Sox had just taken a one-run lead the previous half inning. He immediately gave that right back as he served up a leadoff home run to Junior Caminero. After striking out Cedric Mullins, he allowed a single to Yandy Diaz, walked Jonathan Aranda and plunked Richie Palacios to load the bases before mercifully being replaced. Lucas Sims took over and allowed two of the inherited runners to score. Domínguez has now converted three of his first five save chances while posting a 7.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over six innings. His ninth inning gig is safe for now, but another outing or two like this and he could find himself on the ropes.