Cishek a model of consistency as Marlins' closer

MIAMI -- A constant in a rough season for the Marlins has been the steady performance of Steve Cishek.

When given a chance to close out a game, Cishek has repeatedly delivered.

The 27-year-old did it again on Wednesday night, and in the process he established a franchise record.

Cishek tossed a scoreless ninth in Miami's 3-2 win over the Phillies on Wednesday. It was the side-arm-throwing right-hander's 28th consecutive save, which topped the mark of 27 previously set by Todd Jones in 2005.

He extended his record streak to 29 saves after pitching another scoreless ninth inning in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Cishek last failed to convert a save on June 4 at Philadelphia, when he allowed the tying run at Citizens Bank Park.

Since then, Cishek's 29 saves is tied for the third most in the Majors. Kansas City's Greg Holland has 37 saves in that span, followed by Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel's 33 and Baltimore's Jim Johnson's 29.

"Early on in the year, I was a little bit on and off," Cishek said. "I felt like I was throwing harder. I felt better, actually. Now, I've kind of toned it down a little bit. My [velocity] is where it was last year, 90-92, maybe 93. Being down in the zone is a big thing."

From June 5 to Friday's game against the Tigers, Cishek has a 1.24 ERA in 43 games.

"Even when I felt like garbage out there, I found a way to get three outs, which is something I struggled with last year. I was so up and down," Cishek said.

This is Cishek's first season as a full-time closer. He inherited the role in the second half of 2012 from Heath Bell.

"This has been a big learning experience for me," Cishek said. "It's been a solid individual year. Obviously, I'm more concerned about the team outcome."