Michael Peterson faced pressure, struck out key batters, and secured his first career save, finding redemption after a tough stretch.
MIAMI — With the closer away and a ninth-inning lead to be maintained, the Miami Marlins turned to an unlikely member of their bullpen to get the save.
After a rough series in New York last weekend, Michael Peterson was given an opportunity for redemption and he made the most of it. After putting two runners on base to start the ninth inning, Peterson struck out Nathanial Lowe and Matt McLain to close out the Marlins' 7-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.
It was Peterson’s first career save. He made sure to keep the final pitch to commemorate the accomplishment. He said after the game that the game ball would be a special souvenir for his family.
“I gave my first win to my dad,” Peterson said. “Maybe I’ll give it to my mom or something.”
With pressure mounting on the bullpen after blowing the lead in a 6-3 loss on Tuesday, Peterson was an unlikely option to shut the door on the Reds on Wednesday. Peterson said he always prepares to go into a save situation, “even if it’s not going to happen.”
“It’s the only way you can do it or it doesn’t work out,” Peterson said.
Peterson went undrafted out of Riverside Community College in Southern California and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015. It took him nine years in the minor leagues before he made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 18, 2024.
The Marlins claimed him off waivers for four more appearances to close out the season. Peterson was picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels over the offseason before landing with the Atlanta Braves to start the 2025 season. The Marlins reacquired him on July 17 to finish last season with 11 appearances and a 1.41 WHIP and a 9.53 strikeout rate.
“Mike was impressive at the end of last year,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said. “It’s a big fastball and it’s a hard breaking ball. He can neutralize both sides because it’s more of a north-south type attack and he has enough (velocity) to beat people at the top of the zone.”
To stick with a team this time around, Peterson said he bought into the Marlins program and came to spring training with a new off-speed pitch and more fortified mental state.
“For me, it’s finding cues during the game,” Peterson said. “When I find myself wandering, I find something to bring myself back.”
It’s a small sample but so far this season, Peterson is at his best coming out of the home team’s bullpen. In three appearances, he has gone through three innings without allowing a run and punched out five batters. McCullough said the secondary portion of Peterson’s pitch arsenal has “really come along.”
“Mike is a really talented pitcher,” McCullough said. “The challenge to Mike in spring training this year and coming on to make our team is the ability to be available and be able to do multiple innings.”
Pete Fairbanks returned from the paternity list on Thursday and so the opportunity for other relievers to come into save situations will likely be sparse. Peterson made the most of his rare chance but humbly acknowledges that he is a member of a bullpen full of relievers who are capable of protecting the lead for the Marlins.
“Every single person in our pen can do that,” Peterson said. “It’s just whoever’s up at that time.”
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