Alvarado struck out two in a perfect ninth inning during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, recording his first save of the season in a 7-4 win.
The Phillies' bullpen was outstanding in the matinee, as Gregory Soto, Craig Kimbrel, Seranthony Dominguez and Alvarado each fanned two in perfect innings of relief. Alvarado has been the best of the high-leverage quartet in the early going, striking out multiple batters in seven straight appearances and posting a stunning 18:0 K:BB through 7.1 innings to go along with his 1.23 ERA and three holds. No Philadelphia hurler has more than one save yet, but the southpaw appears to be staking a claim to being the team's relief ace, if not its full-time closer.