Mariners’ rookie closer Diaz makes history

Published 7:45 pm Wednesday, August 3, 2016

By Bob Dutton

The News Tribune

SEATTLE — Simply put, new Mariners closer Edwin Diaz is already historically good.

By striking out the side Tuesday in preserving a 5-4 victory over Boston, and gaining his first career save, Diaz boosted his K count to 52 through 26 innings over his 25 appearances.

Strikeout No. 50 came in 25 1/3 innings and, according to research by the Elias Sports Bureau, no pitcher reached 50 quicker at the start of his career since at least 1893.

That was eight years before the American League was founded.

“You’re watching it every night,” manager Scott Servais said, “and it’s electric. It’s not easy to do that in this league. The hitters are so talented. They know where the barrel is. They know the strike zone. They see velocity.

“I think it’s a combination of his delivery and the life on the ball. The development of the slider has been huge. The swing-and-miss (factor) there. It’s a combination of things all coming together.”

In addition to the strikeouts, Diaz has a 1.73 ERA, but he admitted his adrenaline was in overdrive when he entered Tuesday’s game.

“When I was running (in from the bullpen),” Diaz said, “I heard everybody screaming. That pumped me up a little more, too.”

After a one-out walk, Diaz got a visit from second baseman Robinson Cano with a simple message: Calm down.

“We all know how good he is,” Cano said. “But the first time as a closer, it’s tough for everyone. But he was the same guy.”

Diaz struck out the next two batters.

“After Cano came to me,” he said, “I started to relax. He helped me a lot. And … my first save.”

Along with a piece of history.