Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Pitching with a four-run lead, Brandon Lyon allowed one run before finishing off the ninth Thursday against the Padres. He spoiled what had been a shutout. In his defense, it probably wouldn’t have happened had he and the catcher not allowed Chase Headley to go from first to second on fielder’s indifference. Still, Lyon has been terribly hittable lately and his ERA is all of the way up to 4.69. He could lose more save chances to Jon Rauch. (Rotoworld)

RP Jon Rauch pitched the ninth inning during Wednesday’s 8-6 win against the Padres, allowing Jody Gerut’s two-out solo homer to right, for his 18th save and first since he was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Washington Nationals on July 22. Manager Bob Melvin said Brandon Lyon, who allowed three runs in a non-save situation on Tuesday, was given a regular day off. “He will close tomorrow,” Melvin said. Melvin has not lost confidence in his closer Lyon and has actually worked with him trying to tweak some of his pitches. Lyon has four pitches, which is usually a high number for a closer. Lyon does have a shorter leash with Rauch around, but still remains a viable No. 2 Fantasy RP. Lyon has struggled since June 17 while posting a 9.47 ERA in 21 appearances, the Arizona Republic reports. He’s gone 25-for-29 in save opportunities this season, but his recent struggles have many in Arizona wondering if manager Bob Melvin will make a switch to Jon Rauch down the stretch. Nothing to this point goes beyond speculation, but it’s worth checking your waiver wire to see if Rauch is available. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Working with a four-run lead in a non-save situation Tuesday against the Padres, Brandon Lyon nearly blew the game. He recorded only one out, allowing three runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Tony A. Pena recorded the final two outs in the inning for his second save. Pena likely won’t get many more save opportunities. Even if Lyon lost his job, Jon Rauch would probably take over as closer. Pena remains nothing more than a serviceable setup man for NL-only and deeper Rotisserie leagues. (CBS Sports)

Arizona closer Brandon Lyon pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 30 chances on Tuesday night in a win over the Rockies. He had one strikeout. Treat Lyon as a No. 2 Fantasy closer as he has to continually look over his shoulder with Jon Rauch now on the roster. Still, pitching for a contending team, he figures to get plenty of save opportunities down the stretch if he keeps the job. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon, working in a non-save situation Friday against the Braves, gave up three runs — two earned — on three hits and one walk. He has allowed five runs on eight hits in his last two outings, each lasting an inning. Lyon wasn’t working in a save situation in his last outing either, so he, like many closers, might just have trouble concentrating when the game isn’t on the line. Unfortunately, he has to look over his shoulder now for Jon Rauch. Treat Lyon as a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning of a one-run game Friday at the Dodgers, but he retired the next three batters for his 24th save. He now has four saves in the last seven days. The Diamondbacks haven’t given Lyon many save opportunities since April, but they’re giving them to him now. Get him active as a No. 2 Fantasy closer.(CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon blanked the Dodgers in the ninth inning to earn his 23rd save in 28 chances during a 2-1 win Thursday. Lyon worked around a two-out single to Casey Blake for his third save since Saturday. He struck out one. Lyon has closed out his last three games with scoreless outings since allowing seven runs during a two-outing span from July 19-20. He also has five strikeouts in his last three innings. Arizona acquired Jon Rauch from Washington as insurance just in case Lyon falters down the stretch. It has really motivated the right-hander and he remains a decent No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon pitched a perfect ninth inning during Tuesday’s 3-0 win against the Padres for his 22nd save in 27 chances. He needed just 11 pitches to retire the side, which included strikeouts of Edgar V. Gonzalez and Adrian Gonzalez. Lyon has closed out his last two games with scoreless outings since allowing seven runs during a two-outing span from July 19-20. He also has four strikeouts in his last two innings. Arizona acquired Jon Rauch from Washington as insurance just in case Lyon falters down the stretch. It has really motivated the right-hander and he remains a decent No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Pitching for the first time since giving up five runs in Brandon Webb’s last start. Brandon Lyon picked up a save with a scoreless ninth Saturday against the Giants. Lyon protected a two-run lead for Webb tonight. Recent acquisition Jon Rauch set him up with a scoreless eighth. (Rotoworld)

Brandon Lyon blew a save and took a loss after allowing five runs while retiring just two batters against the Dodgers on Sunday. Lyon was brought in with a 4-1 lead and proceeded to allow two doubles, two singles, and a triple to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. Leo Rosales then came in and allowed an inherited runner to score. That extra run was needed when Jonathan Broxton allowed a Stephen Drew RBI single in the bottom of the inning, but Broxton eventually finished the job. Lyon was working for a third straight day and had struggled last night, so bringing him in to a 4-1 game should be second guessed. (Rotoworld)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon blew a save Thursday at Washington when he allowed two inherited runners to score. He didn’t allow a run of his own, giving up one hit and recording one strikeout in one inning of work. Arizona should contend in the NL down the stretch, and Lyon will likely get plenty of saves chances in the second half. He remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon pitched a perfect ninth inning during Tuesday’s 2-0 win against the Nationals for his 19th save. Lyon needed just nine pitches for his second save in as many games. Lyon has allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits in his last five outings, but he has been a pretty stable arm for the most part in 2008. Arizona should contend in the NL down the stretch and Lyon will likely get plenty of saves chances in the second half. He remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon managed to escape a ninth-inning jam Sunday against the Padres and preserve a 3-2 win for his 18th save. Adrian Gonzalez led off the ninth with a single and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a tailing line drive to right that bounced off the glove of a diving Justin Upton. Gonzalez initially stopped at third but both runners advanced when Upton’s throw tipped off the top of both Orlando Hudson and Chad Tracy’s gloves, making it 3-2. But Lyon struck out Chase Headley and retired Khalil Greene and Luis Rodriguez on consecutive grounders to second for his first save since June 30. Lyon has allowed three earned runs in his last four outings, but he has been a pretty stable arm for the most part in 2008. Arizona should contend in the NL down the stretch and Lyon will likely get plenty of saves chances in the second half. He remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon, who came into a tie game in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Brewers, surrendered the lead, allowing one run on one hit, though the run was unearned, thanks to a Mark Reynolds error. It should be noted that Reynolds had pinch-hit for Chad Tracy and stayed in the game at 1B, a position he’s never played before in the majors. So the error really goes to manager Bob Melvin. Lyon suffered the loss, falling to 2-3. Lyon had five saves in June and has less than doubled his total since April. The D-Backs have struggled, but they remain in first place, so expect more save opportunities to come Lyon’s way. (CBS Sports)

Diamondbacks closer Brandon Lyon recorded three outs in the ninth inning Monday against the Brewers for his 17th save in 20 chances. He recorded two strikeouts. Lyon had five saves in June and has less than doubled his total since April. The D-Backs have struggled, but they remain in first place, so expect more save opportunities to come Lyon’s way. (CBS Sports)