Rangers' Kirby Yates: Remains spotless, grabs fifth save
Rotowire
Yates earned a save after he pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out a batter in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Reds.
Yates was called upon to protect the team's 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, working around a pair of baserunners to secure his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has now gone 5-for-5 in save opportunities this season while he has pitched 12 scoreless frames over his first 11 appearances in 2024. On top of the spotless ERA, Yates also owns a sparkling 0.50 WHIP with a 10.5 K/9, and he appears to be locked in as the Rangers' closer moving forward.
Yates struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 2-1 win over the Reds.
Yates struck out Jonathan India and Jeimer Candelario to begin the ninth, giving him 13 punchouts in 11 innings out of the bullpen. The 37-year-old righty still has yet to allow a run this season, and he'll likely continue receiving the bulk of save opportunities as long as that remains the case.
Yates secured a save in Sunday's 6-4 win over Atlanta, striking out one while allowing no baserunners in 1.1 scoreless innings.
Yates entered in the eighth with Atlanta threatening with two men on and two outs and struck out Orlando Arcia to get out of the jam. The 37-year-old returned for the ninth and retired the side in order to lock down the save. Yates seems to have a firm grip on the closer role for now after picking up three saves and a win over the last week. He's yet to allow a run and has posted a 0.40 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB in 10 innings this year.
Yates earned the save in Thursday's 9-7 win over Detroit, allowing one hit while logging a strikeout in 1.1 scoreless innings.
Yates entered with two outs in the eighth inning, striking out Spencer Torkelson to strand the tying and go-ahead runs on base before working around a two-out single in the ninth en route to his second save this season. Yates has yet to allow a run through his first eight appearances (8.2 innings) this year. The 37-year-old veteran has saves in two of the Rangers' last four games, as he looks to be firming his grasp on the ninth-inning job in Texas.
Yates (2-0) picked up the win in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Tigers. He walked one and struck out four over 1.1 scoreless innings.
The Rangers had a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth inning but allowed Detroit to score single runs in the next three frames to tie the game. Yates entered to get the final out of the eighth inning and was the pitcher of record when Josh Smith doubled in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth. Yates, who has not allowed a run over 7.1 innings, has become the closer following the removal of Jose Leclerc from that role.
