The Oakland A’s bullpen didn’t blow a save this season until May 5, the team’s 32nd game of the year. They weren’t always perfect along the way, but for the first quarter of the season they bore down and got the job done when it counted.
They’ve finally hit their first notable slump over the past week or so. Four times in the last eight games, the relievers have coughed up a lead and earned a blown save in the box score.
- 5/16: Jake Diekman allows homer to Andrelton Simmons (but A’s win)
- 5/21: Yusmeiro Petit allows triple to Juan Lagares (but A’s win)
- 5/23: Reymin Guduan allows sac fly to Shohei Ohtani (A’s lose)
Diekman was excellent last year, and he’s still been strong this year, and he’s 10-for-12 overall in save/holds.