MIAMI -- Lake Bachar didn’t know he would be given the chance to close out Saturday night’s game until his name was called in the Marlins’ bullpen.
But when Agustín Ramírez delivered the late go-ahead two-run single, it was Bachar who was tasked with securing the Marlins’ 4-2 victory over the Brewers at loanDepot park. In doing so, he became the seventh pitcher to record a save for the Marlins this season, tied for the fourth most in the Majors.
In many ways, the Marlins’ bullpen is the island of misfit toys.
“It speaks a lot to their openness to how we've utilized and how we've gone through a lot of these games that we're willing and have thrown in a variety of spots, innings that we feel is most advantageous for us and them, and that they just are out collectors,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “I feel like whenever their name is called, and [they] go in there, whenever it is, we certainly have a lot of confidence in them to get big outs in a lot of different parts of the lineup and in the game. Today was no different.
Added Bachar: “We definitely joke around, but Miami has given a lot of us opportunities to be out there.”
Here’s a breakdown of the relievers Miami used in the win:
LHP Josh Simpson
How acquired: 32nd-round pick by Miami in the 2019 Draft
Career outings: Five
With the game tied at 2 in the fourth inning, Miami pulled right-hander Cal Quantrill with the bases loaded and two outs. Quantrill, who was at 71 pitches, had already given up the then-game-tying run in the frame.
McCullough turned to Simpson, who had once been a top prospect for the organization before injuries derailed his trajectory in 2024, and he was outrighted off the 40-man roster. After a strong showing at big league camp, Simpson had his contract selected and made his MLB debut on June 21.
Facing a pocket of lefties, Simpson got Milwaukee’s leadoff batter, Sal Frelick, to fly out to end the fourth, tossed a scoreless fifth and struck out Jake Bauers to open the sixth before giving way to the next arm.
“It's awesome,” Simpson said. “It's been cool to see, just passing the baton on to the next guy and doing your job and picking up the guy in front of you.”
RHP Tyler Phillips
How acquired: March 26 trade with Phillies after being designated for assignment
Career outings: 39
Phillips, who had struck out a season-high four batters across 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Friday’s series opener, recorded the final two outs of the sixth.
RHP Calvin Faucher
How acquired: Nov. 17, 2023, trade with Rays
Career outings: 129
The club’s saves leader (eight) has also been used as a setup man.
Faucher worked around a pair of singles by inducing an inning-ending lineout off the bat of Jackson Chourio, who entered the matchup with hits in his first three plate appearances.
RHP Ronny Henriquez
How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Twins on Feb. 11
Career outings: 59
Henriquez tossed a perfect eighth with two punchouts, extending his franchise-record streak of consecutive outings with at least one strikeout to 28. His 60 K's on the season are tied for the second most among Major League relievers.
Though Henriquez had tallied four of Miami’s last five saves, he ranks second in holds (14) and leads the relief corps in appearances (40) and innings (43).
“I think a lot of it is just we have a ton of confidence in their ability,” McCullough said of challenging the club’s relievers. “All these opportunities they're getting, a lot of it is new, and we trust in their ability to go get outs when they're called upon. Long term, it's great, the more exposure they get into different parts of games.”
RHP Lake Bachar
How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Padres on Sept. 3, 2024
Career outings: 39
Bachar recorded his first career save with a perfect ninth on eight pitches.
Since being recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on June 10, Bachar has a 0.63 ERA (14 1/3 IP, ER) across seven games. Six of those were multi-inning appearances.
“Not super different,” Bachar said of pitching the ninth. “Just knowing I have three outs and there's nothing behind me, just kind of go out there and attack those guys.
“We're playing a lot of matchups. We have a lot of guys who can go long and kind of mix it up. I feel like we're just helping each other out, no matter what. When we get our name called, we know that we have a job to do, no matter what inning, situation or how long you have to go out for.”