Mariners' Andres Munoz: Used before ninth inning Tuesday
Rotowire
Munoz recorded his third hold in a win over the Reds on Tuesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit and a walk while recording three strikeouts.
Munoz relieved Logan Gilbert with two outs in the seventh inning and a man on, and after issuing a walk to Elly De La Cruz, he surrendered a hit to Nick Martini but was bailed out when De La Cruz was thrown out at third base on a stellar outfield assist by Julio Rodriguez. Munoz was exponentially more effective in the eighth inning while recording swinging strikeouts on all three batters he faced to preserve Seattle's 3-1 lead, and he then saw Ryne Stanek entrusted with the ninth inning until he worked himself into trouble and was bailed out by Tayler Saucedo. The Mariners' closer role therefore appears to be somewhat in flux, but Munoz does have four straight scoreless appearances during which he's picked up his most recent save, a win and back-to-back holds.
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Mariners' Andres Munoz: Picks up first win Wednesday
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Munoz (1-1) picked up the win in an extra-inning victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, firing 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit, hit a batter and issued a walk.
Munoz got the late-eighth-inning call after Logan Gilbert, who'd been masterful for most of seven-plus innings, worked into trouble by allowing a single and a walk with two outs. Munoz impressively escaped the jam he inherited by striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and then emerged from a 24-pitch ninth frame unscathed despite some trouble. Having preserved the 1-1 tie, Munoz became the pitcher of record courtesy of the Mariners' five-run rally in the 10th, giving him his first win in what was his second inning-plus appearance of the new season. Munoz has allowed a pair of earned runs through five appearances and displayed occasional control issues, making it possible Ryne Stanek, who has plenty of high-leverage experience and sealed Wednesday's victory by setting the Blue Jays down in the 10th inning, could steal occasional save opportunities.
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Mariners' Andres Munoz: Unavailable Sunday
Rotowire
Munoz won't be available to pitch Sunday against the Brewers after throwing in the first two games of the series, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
The right-hander threw 39 pitches across the first two games of the series and unsurprisingly won't be an option for the finale in Milwaukee. Ryne Stanek is expected to be the fill-in closer for Munoz, who will reclaim his duties Monday at Toronto.
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Mariners' Andres Munoz: Rebounds for second save
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Munoz struck out one and retired the side in order during the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Brewers to earn his second save of the season.
Munoz struggled during the series opener Friday as he walked four batters and took the loss, but he returned to the mound Saturday and was back in strong form. The right-hander has now thrown 39 pitches across the first two games of the series, so it's possible manager Scott Servais looks elsewhere should a save chance arise Sunday.
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Mariners' Andres Munoz: Shaky in loss
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Munoz (0-1) allowed a run on four walks and took a loss against the Brewers on Friday. He struck out one batter.
Munoz simply could not find the strike zone Friday. He tossed only nine of 26 pitches for strikes and walked William Contreras with the bases loaded to end the game. It was Munoz's second straight appearance allowing a run but he'd produced a 4:0 K:BB before Friday's meltdown. Overall, the performance shouldn't have much of an impact on his status as Seattle's closer.
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Mariners' Andres Munoz: Gets eighth-inning call Monday
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Munoz was credited with his first hold in a win over the Guardians on Monday, allowing an earned run on a solo home run while recording a strikeout in the eighth inning.
Munoz got the eighth-inning call with the Mariners holding a 5-3 lead and allowed a solo home run to Josh Naylor after getting Jose Ramirez to fly out to open the frame. The hard-throwing right-hander atoned for the hiccup by getting out of the inning without further damage, but manager Scott Servais entrusted Ryne Stanek with the save opportunity in the ninth inning. Despite the swap in roles Monday, Munoz remains Seattle's preferred closer option moving forward.
Mariners' Andres Munoz: Strikes out three in first save
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Munoz earned the save in Friday's win over the Red Sox, striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Munoz came on in relief of Ryne Stanek with two outs in the eighth, coaxing a groundout off the bat of Trevor Story to strand the tying run at third base. Munoz would proceed to strike out the side in the ninth, closing out a 1-0 win for his first save of the year. The 25-year-old right-hander should have a firm grasp on the ninth-inning job in Seattle after tallying 13 saves last season while posting a 2.94 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and 67:22 K:BB.
