Chapman, Vazquez net Aug. Relievers of Month

Major League Baseball on Tuesday selected Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez as the American and National League Relievers of the Month, respectively, for August.

Chapman was dominant in August, holding opponents to three singles in 36 at-bats (.083 BA) with 20 strikeouts and five walks. The southpaw converted all nine of his save opportunities, helping the Yankees claim baseball’s best record by the end of the month. Better yet, Chapman threw eight of his 11 fastest pitches of the season in August, per Statcast, rounding into form for bright-light matchups in October.

Vazquez donned the nickname “Nightmare” on his Players’ Weekend uniform last month, and he was every bit of that moniker to hitters. Opponents mustered just four hits in 32 at-bats (.125 BA) while striking out 11 times against Vazquez in August. The southpaw converted three of his four save chances and allowed a single run across 10 1/3 innings, lowering his season ERA to 1.68 by the end of the month -- and a microscopic 0.59 since the All-Star break.