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Melancon ever-ready for save situations
- Updated: May 18, 2016
PITTSBURGH — Shortly after the second inning ended Tuesday night, Pirates physical therapist Kevin “Otis” Fitzgerald approached closer Mark Melancon. Pittsburgh had a nine-run lead. Should Melancon stop his usual stretching routine?
“No, we’re not going to do that,” Melancon replied. “I’ve seen crazier things.”
Manager Clint Hurdle had told Melancon before the game that the Pirates would try to avoid using the closer if at all possible. He pitched back-to-back days Sunday and Monday, and a third straight day of work meant he would certainly be unavailable for Wednesday’s game.
Combine that with a nine-run lead after two innings, and it was fair to expect that Melancon had the night off. He didn’t, as it turned out, but he was still prepared to pitch a scoreless ninth inning and record his 13th save of the season in the Pirates’ 12-9 win at PNC Park.
“Mentally, you stay with the …
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