Robert Suarez has been one of the league’s “lights-out” closers for the past two seasons, recording 72 saves and counting during that span. But recently, the 34-year-old has had his fair share of trouble in the ninth inning.
The Padres were knotted up at two apiece against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 9 heading into the ninth inning. Mason Miller had completely shut down the Reds’ lineup in the eighth inning, striking out the side. San Diego failed to answer in the bottom of the frame, so Robert Suarez entered a tie ballgame looking to keep it that way.