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Suarez (8-3) took the loss and blew a save against the Tigers on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning.
Suarez entered Thursday having successfully converted eight straight save chances, but he didn't have his best stuff against Detroit. The right-hander had a three-run lead to work with in the top of the ninth and found himself in quick trouble, giving up a leadoff single followed by a walk. Suarez retired Spencer Torkelson on a popup but then issued another walk to load the bases. It looked like the closer might get out of the jam when he fanned Kerry Carpenter for the second out, but Parker Meadows followed with a grand slam on a 3-2 fastball to push the Tigers into the lead. Suarez has been great this year with 31 saves in 35 opportunities, but he has faded a bit lately, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over his last 13 innings while giving up at least one earned run in six of 14 appearances since Aug. 3. If San Diego were to consider moving Suarez out of the closer role, Tanner Scott -- who has 20 saves (mostly with Miami) and a 1.44 ERA on the campaign -- would be a very capable fill-in.
