Trevor

Megill

Pitching for the first time in a week, Megill extended his streak of hitless appearances to nine. The only batter to reach safely against him during the stretch did so on an intentional walk with the automatic runner on base in the 10th.

After getting five outs Wednesday, Megill was right back out there to close after the Brewers’ ninth-inning comeback tonight. He should now get Friday off, which could lead to a save chance for Abner Uribe, if he’s feeling up to it.

Megill entered with the winning run on second in the ninth and preserved the tie with some help from a diving Garrett Mitchell on a sinking liner to center. He then worked a scoreless bottom of the 10th after the Brewers failed to score in the top of the inning. Megill was put in line for the win in the 11th, but Antonio Senzatela went on to give up two runs in the bottom of the inning to take the loss. Megill threw just 15 pitches to get his five outs, so he should be fine to close on Thursday.

Megill’s save was his 21st of the season. He retired the side in order in a perfect ninth inning. Megill has a 2.64 ERA. In his last 22 appearances, he has an 0.43 ERA, nine hits allowed, 22 strikeouts, four walks, 13 saves, a hold and zero blown saves.

It took Megill just 12 pitches to breeze through this ninth inning and earn the save. Of those 12 pitches, 11 were fastballs and they averaged just a shade under 99 mph as he overwhelmed the heart of the Pirates’ order. After a rocky start to the season, he’s converted 12 consecutive save opportunities and has only allowed one earned run over his last 21 outings.

Megill was efficient again, and while that comes with no strikeouts, he didn’t allow a hit or walk while lowering his ERA to 2.76 and picking p his 19th save. There’s the occasional clunker here and there for Megill, but in general, the job gets done.

Megill took advantage of the aggressive Angels’ hitters and needed just six pitches — five of those strikes — to get the save. He’s up to 18 saves on the campaign, and the scoreless outing lowers his ERA to 2.83. The only question is what will Megill’s role be if the Brewers do make a trade for a player like Mason Miller.

Megill didn’t start the ninth inning, but made his way into the game with two outs, runners on first and third and the tying run in the on-deck circle. After allowing an RBI single to Kyle Karros to make the score 8-5, Megill struck out Cole Carrigg swinging to end the game. It was his 17th save. He has a 2.97 ERA on the season.

Megill had some good fortune today. With one out after a leadoff walk, Luis Torrens hit a hard liner to right, but it was right at Luis Lara for an out. Francisco Alvarez singled in a run afterwards, and A.J. Ewing threatened another hit, but Joey Ortiz made a great diving play at third to end the game. Megill had gone 15 straight appearances without allowing a run.

Megill is up to 15 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to June 5. He also pitched last night, so he’ll probably get Sunday off. Since Abner Uribe is in the same boat, Aaron Ashby might be in line for a save chance.