Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over an inning.
The White Sox made things interesting in the ninth, cutting the Nats' lead to 4-3, but Finnegan ultimately got Elvis Andrus to fly out, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base. It's been a rocky stretch for Finnegan, who's now allowed eight runs over his last six appearances (5.2 innings). Still, the right-hander appears to have a solid grasp on the closing job in Washington as he improved to 26-for-34 in save chances this season. Through 66.1 innings on the campaign, Finnegan sports a 3.66 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Blows eighth save
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Finnegan gave up a run on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning Saturday to blow the save in an eventual 7-6 win for the Nationals. He struck out one.
Called upon to protect a 5-4 lead, Finnegan and batterymate Keibert Ruiz instead found themselves helpless to stop the Dodgers' running game. The three baserunners the right-hander put aboard swiped four bags between them, and it took a great defensive effort by Luis Garcia to escape the inning without further damage. Finnegan's had a rocky last few weeks, getting tagged for runs in six of his last 10 appearances, but while he's now blown eight of his 33 save chances on the season, this was his first since July 14. Hunter Harvey also coughed up two runs in the eighth, but he's been the more effective reliever of late and could reclaim his spot as the Nats' primary closer down the stretch.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Escapes trouble for save No. 25
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Finnegan gave up one run on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out one.
The right-hander loaded the bases with nobody out to begin the ninth, but Finnegan kept his focus and the only run he gave up came on a Vladimir Guerrero grounder. He's converted 14 straight save chances since July 17, and while Hunter Harvey is healthy again and on hand to share the high-leverage load, Finnegan remains manager Dave Martinez's top choice to close out games.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Nails down 24th save
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Finnegan gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 24th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins.
The right-hander needed only nine pitches (eight strikes) to dispatch Miami, getting Jesus Sanchez to ground into a double play to erase his lone baserunner. Hunter Harvey got the save Friday after Finnegan had worked Thursday, but it's the latter that still looks like the primary closing option for the Nationals. Since his last blown save July 14, Finnegan has a sparkling 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 18.1 innings.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Escapes with 23rd save
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Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
Finnegan entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and made things interesting by allowing singles to Oswald Peraza and Gleyber Torres. Peraza would then come around to score on a Giancarlo Stanton two-out single, but Finnegan was able to retire the next batter and escape with his 23rd save of the season. The right-hander has converted his last 12 save opportunities, though he's also allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches 22nd save
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Finnegan picked up the save Tuesday against the Yankees, working around a walk in a scoreless inning.
Finnegan's now converted his last 11 save opportunities, though he'd allowed two runs over his previous two appearances (1.1 innings). Still, the 31-year-old right-hander's been solid since reclaiming the closing job in Washington, allowing just two runs over his last 17 appearances (16 innings). Overall, Finnegan's 22-for-29 in save chances with a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 54:17 K:BB across 55.1 innings this season.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Escapes with save
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Finnegan allowed one run on one hit in Sunday's win over Philadelphia. He recorded one out and earned a save.
Finnegan entered a 4-1 game with two outs in the ninth inning. He served up a two-run shot to Jake Cave before striking out J.T. Realmuto to end the game. Finnegan earned three saves over the last four days, giving him 21 in 28 attempts on the year. He now owns a 2.82 ERA and a 54:16 K:BB across 54.1 frames.
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Gets out of jam for 19th save
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Finnegan picked up the save Thursday against Boston, allowing two hits while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
Finnegan found himself in trouble after entering the game with a three-run lead in the ninth, surrendering a single and a double in the first two at-bats. However, the veteran reliever was able to work his way out of the jam, retiring the next three batters in order on just seven pitches to record his 19th save. Finnegan has not allowed a run since July 14 against the Cardinals, converting all eight of his save opportunities since then.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Notches save No. 20
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Finnegan struck out one and gave up a solo home run in the ninth inning Friday to record his 20th save of the season in an 8-7 win over the Phillies.
Kyle Schwarber made things interesting by leading off the top of the ninth with a solo shot to right-center field, but Finnegan shook it off and fanned Nick Castellanos for the final out to secure the victory. Hunter Harvey has returned from the injured list but has settled back into a setup role, a result of Finnegan's success in the second half -- Friday's run was the first he'd surrendered since July 14, and he's converted nine straight save chances.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Perfect for sixth win
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Finnegan (6-3) earned the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Athletics. He struck out two over a perfect inning.
Finnegan fired off his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance Saturday, retiring the side in the top of the ninth during a tied ballgame. Though Finnegan won't see a ton of save opportunities with the Nationals being one of MLB's worst teams, he's been very reliable and owns a 2.65 ERA and a 51:15 K:BB across 51 innings this year.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects 18th save
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Finnegan recorded his 18th save of the season in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
The right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 11 appearances and 10.2 innings, a stretch in which he's converted seven straight save chances while posting a 12:1 K:BB. Finnegan appears to have a firm hold on the closer job for the Nationals, and even if Hunter Harvey (elbow) is able to return before the end of the season, he might have to settle for setup work.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns 17th save
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Finnegan picked up the save Sunday against Cincinnati. He allowed two hits while striking out two over a scoreless ninth inning.
Finnegan allowed two baserunners to reach with one out, leaving the door open for a Reds comeback, but finished the job by retiring the final two batters he faced. Despite being stuck on a last-place team, Finnegan has had a highly effective season for the Nationals, having allowed a total of only three earned runs in 27 innings since the beginning of June. With Hunter Harvey on the injured list with an elbow strain, Finnegan should maintain the role of closer for the foreseeable future.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Earns 16th save
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Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Reds. He struck out two in a perfect 10th inning.
After the Nationals took the lead against Alexis Diaz in the top of the 10th, Finnegan closed the door, firing 13 of his 15 pitches for strikes. The right-hander lost the closer job earlier this season, but Hunter Harvey is now on the injured list with an elbow injury and the Nationals have made it clear that they will be cautious with the oft-injured hurler. Finnegan, for his part, has looked a lot more worthy of save chances of late, allowing just two hits over eight straight scoreless appearances.
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Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Slams door for 15th save
Rotowire
Finnegan struck out one batter in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Brewers on Monday.
Finnegan tossed 11 of 15 pitches for strikes and had no issue finishing off the 5-3 win Monday. He's allowed just two hits during his 5.2-inning scoreless streak. While he's converted just 15 of his 22 save chances this season, Finnegan's season ERA sits at a solid 3.00 with a 43:14 K:BB through 45 innings.
Finnegan gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 14th save of the season in a 6-5 win over the Rockies.
The right-hander has gone 3-for-3 in converting save chances since Hunter Harvey (elbow) landed on the injured list. Finnegan's 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 41:14 K:BB through 42.2 innings on the season aren't elite, but he could still be of interest to a contender looking for setup help as the trade deadline approaches.
Finnegan worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Friday versus the Giants.
Finnegan needed only nine pitches to retire Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski and Patrick Bailey in order and ice a 5-3 victory for the Nationals. It was the 13th save of the year for the right-hander, who lowered his season ERA to 3.24 in the process. Finnegan is under team control through 2025, but he could be a hot name on the trade market as the Aug. 1 deadline approaches.
