4 years agoCleveland Indians closer Brad Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Thursday to record his seventh save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Pirates. The southpaw needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to cruise through the bottom of the Pirates order. Hand has had some trouble spots this season, and his 4.70 ERA is actually cushioned by a couple of unearned runs, but he has yet to blow a save and his 12:4 K:BB through 7 2/3 innings indicates he can still be very effective. His grip on the closer role in Cleveland seems to be tightening.--James Stokke
Source: MLB.com