Burgos gives D-backs, Hale one more arm to consider in late game scenarios

A new pitcher may have earned a save for the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night in Miami, but the question of who will be the D-backs’ regular closer moving forward remains a mystery.

Following Addison Reed’s move from closer to a set-up role in the D-backs’ bullpen, manager Chip Hale has employed a by-committee approach when it comes to deciding who will receive the ball at the end of games.

Since Reed’s demotion on May 15, the D-backs have used a variety of arms to help finish games. On Saturday, Brad Ziegler got the nod in ninth. On Sunday, Randall Delgado and J.C. Ramirez combined over the game’s final two innings in the D-backs’ 6-0 series finale loss to Philadelphia. Monday night, Ziegler took the mound in Miami with the game tied 2-2 in the 10th inning following a terrific nine-inning performance from starter Rubby De La Rosa, pitching two scoreless innings and striking out three before handing the ball to Reed in the 12th.

The much-maligned Reed turned in a solid performance in what turned out to be more set-up duty, walking two, but allowing nary a run in one inning of work.

In the 13th inning, the D-backs’ fate rested in the hands of Enrique Burgos, who has been reliable in relief duty this season (3.86 ERA in 11.2 IP), but was seeking his first career save as major leaguer with Arizona clinging to a 3-2 lead.

And as fate would have it, Burgos delivered in D-backs’ first save opportunity since Reed’s demotion.

In the game’s final inning, Burgos struck out two and walked one, picking up that all important save and giving Hale and the D-backs at least one more arm to consider in late game situations.