Kirby Yates got the final three outs in each of the Padres’ three straight victories, including their 1-0 win over the Mariners on Wednesday.
His major league-leading 12 saves have come with him allowing five hits and no runs in those 12 games. Overall, he has allowed one run in 14 innings and struck out 20 of the 53 batters he has faced while walking just three.
That is impressive. It seems there could well be a Padres closer in the All-Star game for the 10th time in 14 years.
Arguably more important to the team’s sustained success this season, however, is what has happened the past two games in the inning preceding the playing of Metallica’s “Sad But True” on the Petco Park speakers, which signals Yates’ entry.