'I know I can do this': Reds' Alexis Díaz shows his potential during first MLB save

CLEVELAND –– Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Díaz is a rookie who spent all of last season in Double-A. Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez is a perennial MVP candidate who leads MLB with 33 RBI this season.

When Diaz faced Ramírez with the bases loaded and two outs in a one-run game in the bottom of the 10th inning on Tuesday, Díaz had never had a save opportunity before in his big league career. Heading into the at-bat, Ramírez had struck out less often than any qualifying hitter in baseball.

The odds were already in Ramírez’s favor, and then Díaz fell behind 1-0 in the count.

“I said, ‘OK, I know I can do this,’” Díaz said via interpreter Jorge Merlos. “I had to refocus and…