Mark Melancon continued to lay claim to the distinction of being the finest closer in the game Thursday by nailing down his 50th save in 52 tries. He retired Colorado in order and fanned two in the ninth to complete a key victory for the Pirates. He is the second National League closer to reach 50 over the last 12 years.
Pittsburgh clawed back from a 4-2 deficit entering the eighth inning to afford Melancon his second save opportunity of the series. Though he doesn't possess the swing-and-miss stuff of some of the league's other top-tier closers, Melancon's reliability with the game on the line has been unparalleled this season.