PHOENIX, Ariz. -- If the Pirates need a game to be saved Saturday night, Mark Melancon may not be the man leaving the bullpen to do it.
Not because the closer who has pitched under a microscope is losing his job. But because he has done it well the last two games. Melancon picked up saves on Thursday and Friday, with perfect ninth innings against the Cubs and the Diamondbacks.
Manager Clint Hurdle avoids using any reliever three days in a row. So Melancon figures to rest his arm, and on his laurels after the two perfect outings that should quell the panic over his diminished velocity.