Relievers of the Month: Treinen, Hand
A's closer converts all 10 May save chances; Friars' fireman posts 11 saves and a hold
Oakland's Blake Treinen and San Diego's Brad Hand were honored for their May performances as The Hartford American League and National League Relievers of the Month on Saturday.
Since arriving in Oakland in a trade with the Nationals last July, Treinen has excelled pitching out of the A's bullpen. This season, the right-hander is 2-1 with a 0.99 ERA and 13 saves through 22 appearances (27 1/3 innings). He's struck out 33 batters against eight walks.
Treinen, 29, was at his best in May, allowing just one earned run in 15 1/3 innings and converting all 10 save opportunities. He also earned a win with a scoreless, two-inning appearance on May 2 in Seattle.
Hand, an All-Star in his second season with the Padres in 2017, entered Saturday ranked second in the NL with 17 saves -- trailing only the Rockies' Wade Davis (18), the Red Sox's Craig Kimbrel (18) and the Mariners' Edwin Diaz (19) in the Majors. He owns a 1.91 ERA through 26 appearances (28 1/3 innings) in '18.
The 28-year-old southpaw held his opponents to one run through 14 2/3 innings in May -- striking out 22 batters against seven walks with 11 saves and a hold en route to his second Reliever of the Month Award. Hand previously won the honor in July 2017.