Faucher struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday during a 6-2 win over the Rays.
It wasn't a save situation, but Faucher was still the pitcher manager Skip Schumaker called upon to protect Miami's first ninth-inning lead since Tanner Scott was traded to the Padres. Andrew Nardi, who was viewed as the most likely candidate to take over closing duties, pitched the sixth inning with a two-run lead, while Anthony Bender worked the eighth after the lead was extended to four runs. Faucher has pitched well enough to be in the high-leverage mix -- over his last 15 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB in 14 innings.