Neris earned a save against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.
Neris entered in the ninth inning with Chicago holding a two-run lead and got into a bit of hot water when two of the first three hitters he faced reach base. However, the veteran reliever bounced back to strike out the final two batters of the frame. Neris secured his 11th save of the season and recorded his third straight scoreless outing. That may have helped him steady his grip on the closer role to some extent after he blew two saves and gave up seven earned runs across 2.2 frames over three appearances between June 11 and June 17.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Snags seventh win
Rotowire
Neris (7-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Giants.
Neris went through a rough patch earlier this month but has pitched better lately, tossing scoreless innings in consecutive outings with four total strikeouts. The veteran once again didn't see a save opportunity, as that went to Porter Hodge on Thursday, but it was encouraging to see Neris still work in a high-leverage spot. He figures to remain Chicago's closer moving forward, though he could be replaced if his struggles resurface.
Neris worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless ninth inning in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mets. He struck out two.
Neris was still a little shaky, but this was a step in the right direction after he allowed seven earned runs over 2.2 innings and blew two saves in his last three outings. The veteran worked the end of the game Saturday, though it wasn't a save opportunity, and Colten Brewer was the pitcher tapped for the team's last save chance in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants. Neris is likely still the closer in Chicago moving forward, but his margin for error has shrunk.
Neris was not used to close out Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants, with Colten Brewer getting the save instead.
Neris took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) in an inning of work, and he's allowed a total of seven earned runs over his last three outings. The veteran's ERA has climbed to 4.73 as a result of his recent struggles, and he's blown four saves this year in 14 chances. Chicago manager Craig Counsell said following Monday's game that he didn't plan on making a change at closer, according to James Neveau of Yahoo Sports, but this situation could be fluid. Brewer is at least worth keeping an eye on in the short term.
Cubs' Hector Neris: Can't convert save opportunity
Rotowire
Neris (6-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.
Neris entered in the top of the ninth frame with Chicago leading by two runs. He got one out before Jorge Soler reached base on catcher's interference. Mike Yastrzemski followed with a walk before Thairo Estrada gave San Francisco the lead with a three-run homer. Though Neris retired the following two batters, the damage had been done, and the Cubs weren't able to mount a comeback in the bottom of the frame. The blown save was the fourth of the season for Neris and his third over his past seven chances. He's allowed nine earned runs across his past 8.2 frames, so his hold on the closer position may be tenuous.
