CINCINNATI – Failure is part of the life of a Major League closer. Unfortunately, Lucas Erceg has had more than his share of that experience this year, with the latest episode coming Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.
Presented with a 3-2 lead, the Royals’ reliever surrendered a home run to right to pinch-hitter Will Benson to open the ninth and then had to battle just to get the game into extra innings, where Kansas City suffered a 4-3 loss in 10. It was Erceg’s sixth blown save in 17 chances this season.
As a result, Royals skipper Matt Quatraro announced before the series finale Wednesday that he will be making a change to the closer's role.
“I think there's two separate answers to that. In the short term, we're going to match up, just based on who's available that night and where we think the best avenue for us to get the win is,” Quatraro said. “But in the long term, I do think Erceg is a guy that we're going to use in the ninth.”
Quatraro was careful to frame Wednesday’s announcement, making it clear that he won’t hesitate using the right-hander in higher-leverage situations. It just likely won’t be in the ninth if he feels he can use him earlier in the game. Erceg is 3-3 with a 6.45 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP in 24 appearances covering 22 1/3 innings this season.
“Leverage isn't necessarily as important as putting him in the best situation for the matchup, so if that's a different situation in the ninth, then that's fine,” Quatraro said. “But I think we're going to try to find better pockets, more consistent pockets for him right now.”
That means turning to the likes of lefties Daniel Lynch IV and Matt Strahm and right-handers John Schreiber and Alex Lange. Lynch and Schreiber are the only active members of the staff other than Erceg with a save this season. The Royals are 14-for-26 in save chances; the 12 blown saves are fourth highest in MLB, behind the Tigers, Nationals and Angels.
“When you look at Strahm, Schreiber, Lynch, Lange, Erceg, all those guys have done it, and we feel really good about all of them,” Quatraro added.
Erceg said the silver lining for him was the way he finished the ninth inning Tuesday, striking out Spencer Steer to send the game to the 10th.
“He gave us a chance to hang in there, and we had a chance in the 10th to put up runs and win the game,” Quatraro said. “So yes, absolutely. I mean, nobody was more disappointed than him to give up the run or give up the home run, but he's a competitor, and I think the way he's handled this and the way he wants to bounce back out there is really admirable.”