by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/23/2013) As he showed Wednesday against the Cubs, Pirates reliever Mark Melancon is fully capable of stepping into a high-pressure situation in the ninth inning. And, as he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Thursday, Melancon relishes the opportunity.
"It's so much fun to be out there, closing out the game," Melancon said. "It's my favorite thing."
Melancon has been lights-out as a set up man this season, allowing just one run in his last 17 appearances, and the team clearly feels comfortable with him as a possible backup in case Jason Grilli falters.
"I love the fact that Mark's been battle tested," Hurdle said. "He's had some good opportunities, including some that have not worked out well. He's dealt with adversity. Those have become strengths for him. He is in a good place, personally and professionally. He's taking care of today and what opportunities he has today. Who knows what the rest of this season will provide?"
Melancon had 20 saves in 2011 for the Astros, but just one in each of the last two seasons.
Mark Melancon gets rare save
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/22/2013) After throwing 34 pitches Tuesday, the Pirates did not have closer Jason Grilli available Wednesday against the Cubs. With a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth, they turned to a reliever who has been almost as dominant as Grilli this season, Mark Melancon.
Melancon, who entered the game with 16 holds, earned his first save despite allowing the winning run to reach base with one out. But two pop flies to second base to end the threat and the game.
Melancon allowed a hit and struck out one batter, who reached based on a wild pitch. He needed 22 pitches to finish the save.
Melancon has an 0.72 ERA in 25 appearances, with 26 strikeouts and a walk in 25 innings.
Mark Melancon making strides for Pirates
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013)Mark Melancon has thrown five scoreless inning for the Pirates so far and told MLB.com on Wednesday that he benefited from working with pitching coach Ray Searage and Jim Benedict, a special assistant to general manager Neal Huntington, during the spring.
"I learned more about my delivery and about pitching in general in a month of spring training than I have my whole pro career," Melancon said.
The right-hander is coming off a campaign in which he posted a 6.20 ERA in 41 appearances for the Red Sox.
"He brought awareness to some of the things in my delivery which, honestly, I haven't really yet changed," Melancon said of Benedict. "It's a work in progress, and I'm just glad I'm aware of it, so in the long run I can deal with it and be that much better."
Mark Melancon continues sharp spring
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Pirates reliever Mark Melancon recorded yet another scoreless outing Thursday against the Yankees. He allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout.
Melancon has been sharp all spring, as the outing lowered his ERA to a crisp 1.64 in 11 innings. He's allowed just eight hits with eight strikeouts against five walks. If Jason Grilli falters in the closer role this year, expect Melancon to be his successor.
Melancon learns from struggles
(2/17/2013) After posting a 2.78 ERA over 71 appearances for the Astros in 2011, Mark Melancon did not adjust well to the American League last season. He was traded to the Red Sox in the offseason and recorded a 6.20 ERA in 41 appearances. Melancon was on the move again this winter and ended up in Pittsburgh. The right-hander told the Beaver County Times he thinks his struggles from a year ago will help him get back on track in 2013. “I just didn't pitch well at times last year and then got into a pattern where I was pitching irregularly and had a hard time staying in a rhythm,” Melancon said Sunday. “It was a good learning experience. It’s not a cliché when people say you learn more about yourself during the bad times than in the good."
Melancon joins Pirates' bullpen
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (12/26/2012) The Red Sox traded reliever Mark Melancon to the Pirates as part of a six-player trade that was completed on Wednesday. While the Pirates received Melancon, outfielder Jerry Sands, infielder Ivan De Jesus and pitching prospect Stolmy Pimentel, the Red Sox got reliever Joel Hanrahan and second baseman Brock Holt in return. Melancon came over to the Red Sox from the Astros last offseason, and he had a difficult year with Boston, going 0-2 with a 6.20 ERA.
