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Erceg (3-3) blew the save and took the loss Saturday, surrendering three runs on five hits while failing to record an out as the Royals fell 7-6 to the Rangers.
Tasked with protecting a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Erceg instead served up a leadoff homer to Joc Pederson followed by four straight singles -- the last being an Ezequiel Duran line drive to right field that brought home Brandon Nimmo for the winning run. It was Erceg's fifth blown save of the season, including three in his last four chances, and he's given up multiple runs in three straight appearances to balloon his ERA from 3.26 to 6.33. Even with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) still lacking a clear timeline for his return, the Royals may have no choice but to audition other closing options in Erceg's place.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Blows save against Yankees
Rotowire
Erceg (3-2) suffered a blown save and took the loss Monday against the Yankees, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with zero strikeouts in one inning.
Erceg entered in the top of the ninth to protect a 3-2 lead. He got Cody Bellinger to ground out to lead off the inning but then allowed four straight hits to suffer his fourth blown save of the season. The right-hander has now had back-to-back miserable outings after allowing three runs on four hits Sunday against the Mariners. With the two bad outings, Erceg's ERA has ballooned from 3.26 to 5.06 with an 18:13 K:BB across 21.1 innings in 2026.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Rebounds for 11th save
Rotowire
Erceg walked one and struck out none in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cardinals.
Erceg was charged with a blown save Friday, allowing an unearned run on two hits in the 10th inning against the Cardinals. He did better Sunday, throwing 14 of 22 pitches for strikes to pick up his first save since May 5. The right-hander is up to 11-for-14 in save conversions this year while adding one hold. He's pitched to a 3.26 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 17:13 K:BB through 19.1 innings. While he hasn't been dominant, Erceg has done a decent job of holding down the closing job while Carlos Estevez (foot/shoulder) has been out of action.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Blown save Friday
Rotowire
Erceg allowed an unearned run on two hits in an inning of work Friday against the Cardinals, striking out two. He was charged with a blown save.
Erceg entered the game in the 10th inning with the Royals holding a one-run lead, but he allowed an RBI single to Alec Burleson that scored Thomas Saggese. This was Erceg's third blown save of the season, and he's now allowed runs in his last two outings. Erceg has gone 10-for-13 in save chances this season while posting a 3.44 ERA and 17:12 K:BB across 19 outings (18.1 innings).
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Allows run in non-save situation
Rotowire
Erceg allowed one run on two hits and no walks with a strikeout over one inning in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.
Erceg, who had not pitched over the previous five days, entered with the Royals trailing in the eighth inning and surrendered an RBI single to Derek Hill to widen the deficit. Thursday's outing snapped a streak of eight consecutive scoreless innings for Erceg, who had also recorded five saves during that stretch. The right-hander owns a 3.63 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 15:12 K:BB with 10 saves across 17.1 innings and figures to continue operating as Kansas City's closer with Carlos Estevez (foot/shoulder) not close to returning from the injured list.
Erceg picked up the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Guardians, issuing one walk with one strikeout in a scoreless and hitless ninth inning.
Erceg matched David Bednar with his AL-best 10th save, and Erceg has now gone seven consecutive outings without allowing a run. He's also surrendered just one hit during that span. Even with Carlos Estevez (foot) cleared for rehab games and nearing a return, Erceg seems to have a firm grasp on closer duties in Kansas City. He owns a 3.52 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB across 15.1 innings.
Erceg earned the save in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Mariners, striking out two in a perfect 10th inning.
Erceg was called in after the Royals took the lead in the top of the 10th inning and slammed the door on 17 pitches. It marked back-to-back clean appearances for the 31-year-old, who has now gone six straight outings without allowing an earned run. On the year, he's 9-for-11 in save chances with a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB across 14.1 innings.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Converts eighth save
Rotowire
Erceg struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.
Erceg has settled back in after back-to-back blown saves in mid-April. He's allowed just one unearned run over his last five innings, picking up three saves and two wins over five appearances in that span. For the season, the right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB with eight saves and a hold over 13.1 innings. Erceg continues to fill in as the Royals' primary closer while Carlos Estevez (foot) works his way back to full health.
Erceg picked up a save against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing one hit, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.
The game was tied 1-1 after nine frames, but Kansas City was able to score three runs in the top of the 10th to give Erceg the ball with a decent cushion. The right-hander didn't exactly cruise -- he retired the first two batters he faced before issuing a walk and giving up an infield single to load the bases and bring the winning run to the plate for the A's. However, Erceg was able to get Darell Hernaiz to line out to second base to end the contest. Erceg has gone 7-for-9 in save opportunities this season despite an unexciting 4.38 ERA and 10:10 K:BB through 12.1 frames, giving Kansas City a mostly reliable closer in the wake of Carlos Estevez landing on the IL due to a foot injury after just one appearance. Estevez is reportedly nearing a rehab assignment and could be back in early May, but it remains to be seen if he'll retake the closer role upon his return.
Erceg earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Angels, surrendering one walk with two strikeouts in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.
Erceg has had a couple rough outings this month, blowing a pair of saves while allowing multiple runs two times in nine appearances, but he's now had back-to-back clean games and is tied for fifth in the majors with his six saves. Erceg has a 5.23 ERA and 7:8 K:BB across 10.1 innings.
Erceg blew the save in Monday's 7-5 loss against the Orioles. He allowed one run on a hit and three walks with no strikeouts over one inning.
Erceg entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead but was unable to secure the save, struggling with control and allowing an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that sent the game to extra innings. It marked the right-hander's second blown save in as many appearances after converting each of his first five opportunities this season. Now sporting a 6.48 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 8.1 innings, Erceg will look to get back on track while incumbent closer Carlos Estevez (foot) remains on the injured list.
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