Contreras struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mets.
Contreras has allowed just two runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 13:2 K:BB since moving back to the bullpen July 14. He hasn't been a candidate for much high-leverage work, but he got the save chance Sunday as the only Angels reliever to pitch less than twice over the previous five days. Through 48 innings between the Angels and the Pirates this year, Contreras has a 4.13 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 46:21 K:BB, though it appears his performance has turned a corner after a poor stint in the Angels' rotation. Still, Ben Joyce and Hunter Strickland figure to be the favorites for the few save chances the Angels will generate the rest of the way.