Gregory Soto: Everything you need to know

Soto secured the save Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing two runs on two hits and no walks in the ninth inning. Soto served up a two-run home run to Shohei Ohtani, so he needed every bit of the 9-6 lead the Pirates mounted following a late-inning comeback. The 31-year-old left-hander is serving as Pittsburgh's top closer, but he's now given up five runs over his past two outings. Through 29.1 innings, Soto still has a strong 3.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB while converting nine of his 12 save chances.

Soto (4-1) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while failing to retire a batter, taking the loss and a blown save versus the Astros on Wednesday. Soto was brought in with two outings in the eighth inning and couldn't clean up the mess Mason Montgomery left him. This poor outing brought his six-inning scoreless streak to a crashing halt. Soto is 8-for-11 in save chances this season while adding six holds, and he's pitched to a 2.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB through 28.1 innings. He's still the favorite for saves in the Pittsburgh bullpen, but he can't afford to have too many poor performances in a short span.

Soto earned the save in Tuesday's 10-6 win against the Astros, striking out both batters he faced. After Dennis Santana struggled to close out the ninth inning, allowing four batters to reach base while two runs scored, Pittsburgh turned to Soto with two runners on and one out. The left-hander immediately shut the door, striking out both hitters he faced to lock down his eighth save of the season. Soto continues to pitch at a high level out of the bullpen, holding opponents scoreless in 13 of his last 15 appearances while solidifying himself as Pittsburgh's main ninth-inning option. He now owns a 1.91 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 34:11 K:BB across 28.1 innings.