Edwin Diaz had heard enough boos for one week. After a brutal blown save on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers closer was handed the baseball again Friday night with the team clinging to a 3-1 lead. This time, Diaz delivered — although he certainly did not make it easy.
Manager Dave Roberts had already made his position clear: Diaz remains the Dodgers’ primary closer. Friday’s decision to put him back into the ninth inning was a major test of that belief.
Diaz responded by recording his seventh save of the season as Los Angeles defeated the Milwaukee Brewers. It was hardly a smooth ninth inning, but after the chaos of the previous night, a save was a save — and Diaz will gladly take it.
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Diaz Gets Another Chance After Rough Outing
Just 24 hours earlier, Diaz had endured one of his toughest appearances of the season.
He entered with the Dodgers in position to win but surrendered three runs while recording only two outs, blowing his third save in four games. Diaz later pointed to problems with his fastball command as a major reason for the collapse.
That outing also ended with Diaz hearing loud boos from the Dodgers crowd.
Rather than pull the plug on his closer, Roberts showed confidence in the veteran reliever and sent him right back into the ninth inning Friday.
It was a decision that could have backfired spectacularly. Instead, Diaz gave the Dodgers exactly what they needed.
A Shaky Ninth Still Ends With a Save
Diaz entered the ninth with Los Angeles leading 3-1 and immediately found himself in trouble.
He went to a full count before hitting Andrew Vaughn with a pitch. Ji-Hwan Bae then entered as a pinch-runner and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position.
The pressure was already rising.
Diaz then struck out Christian Yelich but walked William Contreras, adding another runner. Fortunately for the Dodgers, their defense stepped up when Tommy Edman made an important play to help record an out at second.
Diaz continued to battle and eventually loaded the bases after walking David Hamilton.
At that point, Dodger fans probably had their fingernails filing for early retirement.
But Diaz finally found a way out. A final groundout ended the inning, leaving all three runners stranded and preserving the 3-1 victory.
Kike Hernandez Gives Diaz a Confidence Boost
One of the biggest moments of the inning may not have come from the mound at all.
Before Diaz completed the comeback, veteran teammate Kike Hernandez offered him a simple message of confidence.
Hernandez reminded Diaz that he was one of the best pitchers in the game and encouraged him to slow things down, trust his stuff and make his pitches.
Diaz said he listened.
“He’s a veteran player. He knows a lot about the game,” Diaz said, explaining that he followed Hernandez’s advice and focused on doing his job.
That kind of support can matter when a closer is trying to reset mentally after a difficult stretch. For Diaz, it appeared to help him stay composed long enough to finish the inning.
Diaz Admits the Comeback Wasn’t Easy
After the game, Diaz did not pretend the ninth inning was a masterpiece.
Instead, he acknowledged the challenge while expressing relief that he managed to finish the job.
“It means a lot to me,” Diaz said. “I’ve been in a tough stretch, but I keep working hard trying to make pitches, and today it wasn’t easy, but I got the job done.”
That attitude could be important for Diaz moving forward.
Closers are often judged by one number — the save — but the mental side of the role can be just as demanding. After struggling in recent appearances, Diaz needed a positive result, and Friday provided exactly that.
Dodgers Keep Winning While Diaz Regroups
The victory moved the Dodgers to 74-49 and kept them firmly in the National League race, with Los Angeles positioned just behind the Brewers among the league’s top teams.
For a club with postseason ambitions, finding a reliable ninth-inning option is critical. Diaz remains that option for now, and Roberts’ decision Friday made that clear.
However, Diaz will get a little time away from game action after pitching on consecutive days. The break should allow him to recover physically and mentally before taking the mound again.
The Dodgers certainly hope Friday was the beginning of a turnaround rather than simply a brief pause in the drama.
Edwin Diaz did not exactly cruise through Friday’s ninth inning, but he accomplished the one thing that mattered most: he protected the Dodgers’ lead.
After a disastrous outing and a chorus of boos the night before, Diaz returned to the mound with his manager’s trust still intact. With help from his teammates, some timely defense and a little mental reset, he escaped with his seventh save of the season.
The Dodgers will need Diaz at his best as the season moves toward its most important stretch. Friday’s performance did not erase his recent struggles, but it offered a valuable reminder: sometimes a closer does not need perfection — he just needs to survive the ninth.
FAQ:
Did Edwin Diaz bounce back for the Dodgers?
Yes. Diaz responded to his recent struggles by recording a save in the Dodgers’ 3-1 win over the Brewers.
How many saves does Edwin Diaz have this season?
Diaz recorded his seventh save of the season in the victory over Milwaukee.
Why was Edwin Diaz under pressure?
Diaz had blown three saves in four games, including a difficult outing in which he allowed three runs while recording only two outs.
Is Edwin Diaz still the Dodgers’ closer?
Yes. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has continued to identify Diaz as the team’s primary closer despite his recent struggles.
What happened during Diaz’s latest save?
Diaz faced plenty of trouble in the ninth inning, including a hit-by-pitch, a walk and eventually loaded bases. He escaped the jam with a final groundout to preserve the Dodgers’ 3-1 lead.
What did Kike Hernandez tell Edwin Diaz?
Hernandez encouraged Diaz to stay confident, slow things down and trust himself, reminding him that his teammates had his back.
What did Edwin Diaz say after the game?
Diaz said the outing was not easy but expressed happiness that he continued working, made the necessary pitches and finished the job.
Why will Diaz get some time off?
Diaz pitched on consecutive days, so he is expected to get a short break to recover before returning to the Dodgers’ bullpen.
What was the Dodgers’ record after the win?
The victory improved Los Angeles to 74-49, keeping the Dodgers near the top of the National League standings.
Can Edwin Diaz regain his form?
Friday’s save was an encouraging step, but Diaz will need more consistent outings to fully put his recent struggles behind him.
Also Read: Did Luis Arráez Just Trigger MLB’s Strangest Rule of the Season?
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