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

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)

Brandon Lyon blew his third save of the season Sunday, allowing two runs - including a solo home run by Hanley Ramirez - in a third of an inning of work. The home run was followed by a double, a wild pitch, then an RBI single to end the game. Sunday was the first time since April 2 against Cincinnati he failed in a save opportunity. “It’s a tough one, especially going home, it’s a long flight,” Lyon said. “The way we played this series we should have come out with at least two out of three. It’s kind of the way things are going right now, when one thing is not going good things keep slipping.”Even though this was a pretty bad outing, there is not a huge cause for worry, as this was just the second time in his past 10 appearances that he allowed a run, and had three perfect outings before this. (CBS Sports, Rotowire)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon made fast work of the Red Sox in the ninth inning Monday for his 16th save during a 2-1 win. Lyon needed just five pitches for his second save since June 8. He has tossed two perfect outings after getting tagged for four runs June 17 against the A’s. The Diamondbacks have struggled for wins in the last few weeks and that’s why Lyon hasn’t had many chances to close out games. However, they still lead the NL West and will likely contend for the West crown the remainder of the summer. Lyon remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Arizona closer Brandon Lyon pitched the ninth inning in Thursday’s win over the Oakland A’s and picked up his 15th save on the season. Lyon pitched a perfect ninth to lower his season ERA to 2.43. Lyon plays for the first-place Diamondbacks, a team who doesn’t put up monster offense but seemingly gets the job done night in and night out. For that, Lyon remains a dominant Fantasy closer who should be started in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

In Tuesday’s 15-1 rout by the A’s, Brandon Lyon got some work in, and like other Atomic RoadRunner closers pitching in non-save situations, coughed up some runs. Lyon struck out two in two-thirds of an inning, but he gave up two homers. The first was to Bobby Crosby, followed by walks to both Kurt Suzuki and Daric Barton. The second was then to Mark Ellis, who plated three. Final line: 2/3 inning, 2 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned, 2 walks, 2 K’s and 2 HR. ERA: 54.000. WHIP: 6.000. Nice.

CBS Sports updated Lyon’s profile and notes that Lyon had his 26-inning scoreless streak broken in the appearance. The D-Backs closer was only pitching because the bullpen was depleted after pitching 34 1/3 innings in its previous 10 games.

Brandon Lyon turned in his 20th straight scoreless appearance on Saturday to earn his 14th save of the season. Lyon had an awful spring and then blew two of his first three save chances of the season, but he hasn’t allowed a run since that second blown save on April 6. His ERA stands at 1.44. (Rotoworld)

Diamondbacks RP Brandon Lyon had to bail out RP Brandon Medders in the ninth inning Thursday against the Rockies, but in the process Lyon picked up his 12th save. Medders entered the game with a 8-3 lead. He loaded the bases after the first three hitters and manager Bob Melvin called on Lyon to clean up the mess. He was greeted by a Scott Podsednik RBI single. He then got Ryan Spilborghs to hit a sac fly. Lyon struck out Clint Barmes and retired Matt Holliday on a grounder to third to end it. Lyon has now converted 12 of 14 saves chances and 11 in a row. He hasn’t allowed a run in 16 straight appearances dating back to April 9. Lyon looked awful in the closer’s role through the first week, but has been nothing short of spectacular since. The Diamondbacks will win plenty in 2008, and as long as Lyon doesn’t lose his cool, he will earn many saves. Lyon remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Brandon Lyon picked up his 11th save of the year against the Rockies on Wednesday night giving up two hits, but got out of the 9th with no runs scored. Lyon pitched out of trouble in the ninth for his 11th save in 13 chances. He gave up two-out singles to Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins before retiring Brad Hawpe on a pop to third base. He did not issue a walk or record a strike out. Lyon is 10 out of his last 10 in save opportunities and looks every bit the closer the Diamondbacks need. Lyon might have allowed six hits in four May innings, but he hasn’t allowed a run in 15 straight appearances dating back to April 9. Lyon looked awful in the closer’s role through the first week, but has been nothing short of spectacular since. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Brandon Lyon extended his scoreless innings streak to 14 while working the ninth against the Rockies on Tuesday, allowing just an infield single to Clint Barmes. It was a non-save situation, but Lyon has been more of an asset to his fantasy owners than the likes of Eric Gagne and Kerry Wood thus far. Unless he gives the D-Backs a reason to make a change, the closer’s role should be his the rest of the way. Lyon has made just three appearances in May and the well has run dry of saves, frustrating Fantasy owners. No need to worry. The Diamondbacks will still win plenty in 2008, and as long as Lyon doesn’t lose his cool, he will earn many saves. Lyon remains a high-end Fantasy RP. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Brandon Lyon worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his ninth save of the season on Wednesday. Lyon gave up a single to Kazuo Matsui and a one-out walk to Lance Berkman, but Carlos Lee and Jose Cruz Jr. flew out to center to end the game. Lyon had a strikeout while lowering his ERA to 2.57. The talk of him coughing up the job have died down for now, while his recent consistency has slowly bumped him up out of the bottom-third of most closer rankings lists. Lyon has not allowed a run in his last 11 appearances and has eight saves in that span. Lyon is worth starting while he is red hot for the contending D-Backs. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

The Arizona Republic reports that Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin hasn’t been shocked by the solid start closer Brandon Lyon is off to in 2008. “He’s the type of guy that you can’t tell whether he’s up two runs or down two runs, whether he’s pitching well or struggling a little bit,” Melvin said. “Some guys rely on the emotional aspect, with a lot of gyrations or whatever, but Brandon’s the opposite. He’s got ice water in his veins. It doesn’t surprise me the type of start he’s had.” Lyon has not allowed a run in his past nine outings. With the Diamondbacks looking like an NL powerhouse this season, he should get plenty of save opportunities. He might even be emerging as a No. 1 Fantasy closer, so get him active. (CBS Sports)