Robert Suárez Shines as San Diego’s Closer: A Venezuelan Success Story in the Making

Robert Suárez has made big changes and shows great improvement in this 2024 season. The San Diego closer had 10 saves, co-leader in the Majors.

Only one Venezuelan pitcher had made 10 or more saves before May. Francisco Rodríguez did it twice.

“El Kid” Rodríguez did it twice during his career. The Venezuelan closer achieved it in 2008 and 2014.

In 2008, Rodríguez saved 11 games in 11.2 innings, 9 hits allowed, 5 earned runs, 9 strikeouts and a whip of 1.54. That year, Rodríguez set the record for most saves in a season with 62.

Six years later, the Kid improved his numbers even more in the first month of the season. He saved 13 games in 16 innings, 0.00 ERA, 7 hits allowed, 4 walks and a 0.68 whip with 23 strikeouts.

Robert Suárez goes for everything in San Diego

Robert Suárez is only the fifth pitcher in San Diego Padres history to have 10 or more saves before May, according to Baseball Reference.

The others to achieve it are: Josh Hader (2023), Kirby Yates (2019), Huston Street (2014) and Mark Davis (1989).

Suárez is 1-0 with a 0.71 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 10 saves in 12 appearances this season. He only allowed one run in 12.2 innings on a solo home run.

The Venezuelan closer shares the lead in saves with Ryan Hensley of the St. Louis Cardinals. Although Suárez has 100% effectiveness with 10 saves in 10 opportunities.

Robert Suárez is the third reliever with the best whip in the Majors and at least 10 innings pitched in 2024.

The best whip belongs to Kirby Yates (Texas Rangers) and in second place is Mason Miller (Oakland Athletics).

2024-05-02 06:58:23
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