Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.
Brandon Maurer successfully converted his 12th straight save opportunity Tuesday night in Cleveland in a 1-0 Padres win.
And while Maurer's numbers this season remain Jekyll-and-Hyde-ish, his numbers during his 12-save streak border on perfection.
Since the 12-save streak started on May 28, Maurer has worked 11 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks with seven strikeouts. Not only is that a 0.00 ERA, it is a WHIP of 0.27.
Maurer now has 17 saves on the season, which is the fifth-highest total in the National League. He has blown two save opportunities.
In save situations this season, Maurer has allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks with 16 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings. His ERA in save situations is 3.78, but in his 17 converted saves, Maurer has allowed no runs on three hits and two walks with 16 strikeouts in 11 innings.
However, in eight non-save appearances since his last blown save on May 14, Maurer is 0-2 and has allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and four walks in 7 1/3 innings.
Speaking of relievers: Left-hander Brad Hand, the Padres' representative on the National League All-Star team, has worked 10 straight scoreless appearances, including four straight perfect outings capped by striking out the side Tuesday night in Cleveland. He has allowed five hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts in those 10 games.
Left-hander Ryan Buchter has allowed one run on five hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings over his past seven outings.
Right-hander reliever Kirby Yates has a 2.02 ERA in 26 2/3 innings since the Padres claimed him off waivers from the Angels on April 26. He has not allowed an earned run in his last eight outings covering 6 1/3 innings, giving up four hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts.
Noteworthy
• Right-hander Carter Capps was placed on the seven-day disabled list with Triple-A El Paso on Sunday. Meanwhile, left-hander Buddy Baumann made his second appearance with the Rookie-level AZL Padres.
• Center fielder Manuel Margot was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt Tuesday night to extend his hitting streak to six straight games. Margot is 11-for-22 in the streak with three doubles, a home run, two walks, four steals, four RBIs and six runs scored.
• Catcher/first baseman Hector Sanchez singled in four at-bats and scored the game's only run in the top of the fifth inning Tuesday. The single marked Sanchez's first hit this season as a member of the starting lineup. Each of his five previous hits, including three homers, came as a pinch-hitter.
• Left fielder Jose Pirela was 1-for-4 Tuesday with a double, the Padres' only extra-base hit. Pirela has doubled in six of his past nine games and ranks third on the team with 11 two-base hits this season. Six of his past eight hits have gone for extra bases.