Mariners' Andres Munoz: Deployed in eighth inning

Munoz walked one and struck out three in a scoreless and hitless eighth inning to earn a hold in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Munoz has been dealing with a back issue for most of June so far, but he's still seen high-leverage work when available. The right-hander was deployed in the eighth inning Friday against the top of the Rangers' lineup, while Ryne Stanek got the call in the ninth and earned the save. Munoz has picked up three holds and a loss over his last four outings, but it seems this is less about his injury and more about a matchups-based approach to the late innings by manager Scott Servais. Munoz has a 1.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 41:10 K:BB with 12 saves and six holds through 29 innings this season.