Chapman threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 9-4 win over the Yankees. He struck out one.
Jalen Beeks loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, forcing the Pirates to turn to their closer despite a big lead. Chapman needed only nine pitches (five strikes) to convert his eighth straight save chance, striking out Aaron Judge along the way with a 100.6 mph two-seamer. Even at 37 years old, Chapman can still pump heat over the plate, and his success during his late-season closing stint should re-assure prospective employers this winter as he heads back into free agency.
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Pirates' Aroldis Chapman: Locks down save
Rotowire
Chapman struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against the Yankees on Friday.
Chapman needed only eight pitches to quickly plow through the Yankees' 7-8-9 hitters and finish off the 4-2 win. It was his 13th save of the season and eight have come in September. He's converted seven consecutive save chances while posting a 2.57 ERA over his last seven appearances. Chapman owns a 3.84 ERA and a 97:39 K:BB through 61 innings this year.
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Pirates' Aroldis Chapman: Earns 12th save
Rotowire
Chapman earned the save against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Chapman was called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth and secured his 12th save when Willy Adames was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. Since allowing four earned runs in a blown save Sept. 7, Chapman has locked down six consecutive chances with eight strikeouts. On the season, the southpaw owns a 3.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB across 60 innings.
Chapman struck out two in a flawless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.
Called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth, Chapman quickly dispatched the heart of the Reds order to earn his 11th save of the season. Chapman has been outstanding since taking over the closer role from David Bednar in late August, collecting a save in each of his last five appearances. The veteran enters the last week of the season with a 3.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 94:39 K:BB with 22 holds while converting 11 of 16 saves.
Chapman earned a save against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning.
Chapman entered in the bottom of the ninth inning with a one-run lead and gave up a leadoff single to Brendan Donovan. However, Donovan didn't advance any further, as Chapman retired the next three batters on just four pitches. Chapman has converted each of his past four save chances, though this was just the second time in that span that he hasn't allowed a run.
Chapman picked up the save Sunday against Kansas City, striking out one during a perfect ninth inning.
Chapman has emerged as the Pirates' closer, and while he's gone five for six in save chances since Aug. 31, the 36-year-old has yielded six runs across 6.1 innings. Overall, Chapman has a 4.11 ERA with nine saves and a 5-5 record.
Pirates' Aroldis Chapman: Hangs on for eighth save
Rotowire
Chapman earned the save in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Marlins despite allowing a run on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.
Chapman got into some trouble in the ninth, allowing the Marlins to cut the lead to 6-4 with three singles. However, he'd manage to escape with the lead still intact, earning his eighth save this season. Chapman's converted back-to-back save chance though he's given up at least one run in three straight appearances, allowing six runs over 2.2 innings in that span. The left-hander sports a 4.18 ERA on the season with a 1.45 WHIP and 91:39 K:BB across 56 innings.
Chapman got the save Monday against the Marlins. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts in one inning.
Chapman worked in and out of trouble in the ninth as he had the tying and go-ahead run on base before escaping the jam. The 36-year-old veteran was coming off one of his worst outings of the season when he gave up a season-high four runs Saturday. Chapman has now picked up three saves in his last five appearances since replacing David Bednar as the team's primary closer.
Chapman (5-5) took the loss and blew the save against the Nationals in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning.
Chapman entered in the ninth frame after Pittsburgh scored twice to take a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. The veteran fireballer retired two of the first three batters he faced but then allowed back-to-back singles followed by back-to-back doubles as Washington plated four runs. Before Saturday, Chapman had converted both of his save opportunities since David Bednar was moved out of the closer role, but Saturday's blow-up may allow Dennis Santana -- who picked up a save Monday and has fired 12 straight scoreless outings -- to get additional ninth-inning looks.
