Long struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.
With James McArthur having coughed up eight runs in his last three appearances and trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg not yet having joined the team, Long got a look in the ninth and carved up Chicago's 6-7-8 hitters. The southpaw has given up only one run in 8.1 July innings with a 9:1 K:BB, and while he's unlikely to see many additional save chances, Long appears to be establishing himself as the top option from the left side in the Kansas City bullpen.