Neris worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mets. He struck out two.
Neris was still a little shaky, but this was a step in the right direction after he allowed seven earned runs over 2.2 innings and blew two saves in his last three outings. The veteran worked the end of the game Saturday, though it wasn't a save opportunity, and Colten Brewer was the pitcher tapped for the team's last save chance in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants. Neris is likely still the closer in Chicago moving forward, but his margin for error has shrunk.
Neris was not used to close out Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants, with Colten Brewer getting the save instead.
Neris took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) in an inning of work, and he's allowed a total of seven earned runs over his last three outings. The veteran's ERA has climbed to 4.73 as a result of his recent struggles, and he's blown four saves this year in 14 chances. Chicago manager Craig Counsell said following Monday's game that he didn't plan on making a change at closer, according to James Neveau of Yahoo Sports, but this situation could be fluid. Brewer is at least worth keeping an eye on in the short term.
Cubs' Hector Neris: Can't convert save opportunity
Rotowire
Neris (6-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.
Neris entered in the top of the ninth frame with Chicago leading by two runs. He got one out before Jorge Soler reached base on catcher's interference. Mike Yastrzemski followed with a walk before Thairo Estrada gave San Francisco the lead with a three-run homer. Though Neris retired the following two batters, the damage had been done, and the Cubs weren't able to mount a comeback in the bottom of the frame. The blown save was the fourth of the season for Neris and his third over his past seven chances. He's allowed nine earned runs across his past 8.2 frames, so his hold on the closer position may be tenuous.
Neris earned a save against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk with no strikeouts.
Entering with a 4-2 lead in the ninth inning, Neris surrendered a solo home run to Jose Caballero and then allowed a single and a walk before retiring Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe to escape with the save. This wasn't the most encouraging outing after Neris yielded four runs in a blown save Tuesday night, but manager Craig Counsell showed his faith in Neris as the team's closer by relying on him again Wednesday. On the season, Neris is 10-for-13 in save chances with a 4.21 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 24:19 K:BB across 25.2 innings.
