Jason Grilli of the Pittsburgh Pirates named the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month for May

Jason Grilli of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been selected as the winner of the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award for May, marking the second consecutive monthly honor for the right-hander. This Major League Baseball award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season as voted on by a panel from Major League Baseball.

Grilli becomes the third pitcher ever to win the award in consecutive months since its inception in 2005, joining Rafael Soriano (July and August 2010 with Tampa Bay) and Aroldis Chapman (July and August 2012 with Cincinnati). In 15 appearances during May, Grilli converted each of his 12 save opportunities while going 0-1 with a 1.32 ERA. In 13.2 innings pitched, he permitted two runs on seven hits with five walks and 17 strikeouts. The fourth overall pick in the 1997 First-Year Player Draft (by San Francisco) struck out the side on May 3rd versus Washington, on May 14th against Milwaukee and on May 28th at Detroit. The 36-year-old did not allow a baserunner over a six-game stretch from May 10th-19th, recording four saves and tossing 5.1 innings with eight strikeouts during that span. The 11-year veteran recorded a save in each of his final six appearances during the month, allowing just one run on three hits with one walk and eight strikeouts over 6.0 innings pitched from May 19th-29th. Entering play on Monday, Grilli is 0-1 with a 1.05 ERA and a Major League-leading 22 saves. In 25.2 innings pitched, the Seton Hall University product has surrendered just three runs on 12 hits with five walks and 41 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .136 batting average. Jason, the son of former Major Leaguer Steve Grilli, is a perfect 22-for-22 in save chances, and he is just four shy of Joel Hanrahan's 2011 franchise record of 26 consecutive converted save chances to start a season. Among all Major League relievers, he ranks second with 41 strikeouts, just two behind Chapman.  

Other relievers receiving votes included St. Louis Cardinals closer Edward Mujica (0-0, 2.57 ERA, 14 G, 12 SV, 14.0 IP, 4 ER, 11 SO, 0 BB) and Oakland Athletics closer Grant Balfour (0-0, 0.87 ERA, 11 G, 9 SV, 10.1 IP, 1 ER, 15 SO, 6 BB).