Mayers, Williams top relievers in September

September 28th, 2020

The Angels’ was named Monday as the American League Reliever of the Month for September, while Brewers rookie took the National League honors.

For Williams, a brilliant September capped a spectacular season that should have him in contention for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. The right-hander played a big part in Milwaukee squeezing into the playoffs as the NL’s No. 8 seed, throwing 13 scoreless innings over nine appearances. He allowed only four hits, walked three and struck out 24 in that time. Williams threw two innings in four of those September appearances, including one on Sept. 22 at Cincinnati, when he struck out five to help seal a crucial 3-2 victory.

But Williams was dominant all season, allowing a total of one earned run in 27 innings over 22 games, and none in his final 20 appearances. He struck out 53 batters, including 41 on his changeup, with opponents going 2-for-62 (.032) against that pitch.

Mayers’ award comes less than a year after the Angels claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals, on Nov. 1, 2019. The 28-year-old righty had posted a 7.03 ERA in 73 games over parts of four seasons with St. Louis, but he seems to have found a home with the Halos.

After a rough start to the season, Mayers allowed only three earned runs over 27 innings across his final 25 appearances, finishing with a 2.10 ERA. He posted a 0.98 ERA in September, striking out 25 batters in 18 1/3 innings and recording two wins and two saves.