46 Pedro Strop RP

Strop (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Monday against the Marlins. He allowed three runs on a hit and three walks without recording an out.

Simply put, it was a disastrous outing for Strop as he blew his second save in six opportunities this season. Staked to a 4-3 lead, the righty started the top of the ninth with back-to-back walks. A single loaded the bases, then another walk forced home the tying run before Strop got the hook. He threw just six of 18 pitches for strikes and saw his ERA climb to 5.06. Regular closer Brandon Morrow (elbow) is without a timetable to return to the team, but the Cubs may be forced to turn to someone like Brandon Kintzler or Steve Cishek for saves if Strop continues to struggle.

Strop saved his fourth game in a win over the Cardinals on Saturday, throwing a scoreless inning in which he allowed no hits and no walks. He struck out two.

Strop has converted four saves out of his five chances, and in his last nine appearances covering 9.2 innings has allowed just one run, striking out 11 while walking two. Strop holds a 2.53 ERA and 0.75 WHIP this season.

Strop walked one while striking out one through a scoreless inning to record his third save in a 7-6 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Strop immediately walked the first batter he faced but recovered to face the minimum after forcing a double play to nail down the save. The 33-year-old returned to form after blowing his last save opportunity. Strop has three saves with a 3.52 ERA through nine appearances this season.

Strop (1-1) blew his first save of the season but earned the win Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He allowed one earned run in an inning of work, while striking out two.

Strop came in with the Cubs up 1-0 in the top of the ninth inning, but blew the save by serving up a home run to speedster Jarrod Dyson, who has just 17 career home runs in 10 MLB seasons. The Cubs' closer avoided any further trouble with the two strikeouts, then picked up the win when Chicago walked off with a run in the bottom of the inning. Strop now has a 4.05 ERA and 6:1 K:BB across 6.2 innings this season.

Strop retired the final two batters of Friday's 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks to earn the save.

Brad Brach started the inning for the Cubs but ran into trouble by allowing two singles and a double, which prompted Joe Maddon to call on Strop to put out the fire. The 33-year-old reliever now has two saves this season along with a 3.18 ERA. Strop should remain the team's closer at least until Brandon Morrow (elbow) returns, which could happen sometime next month.