Puk pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to earn his second save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Astros on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Not long after Puk tallied his first career save on July 22, he was called upon to close the door once again. He came through with a perfect ninth inning to lower his ERA to 2.13. Wednesday's appearance in a save situation might be the most important of the two, since Puk came in to start the ninth rather than to bail out a struggling Lou Trivino. It could be a sign that Puk is inching his way into Oakland's closer role. However, Trivino and Zach Jackson had each pitched in two consecutive games and might have been unavailable. The Athletics' bullpen roles are worth monitoring since the team is expected to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.

Puk hit one batter but pitched a scoreless third of an inning to earn the save in a 5-4 win over the Rangers on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mark Kotsay had originally called upon Lou Trivino to close out the game with the Athletics leading 5-2 coming into the ninth. Trivino struggled immensely, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk, including a home run to Nathaniel Lowe to nearly blow the save. Puk came on in relief with runners on first and second and proceeded to hit a batter before inducing a hard groundout to third for the final out of the game with the bases loaded. It was Puk's first career save. Trivino's 6.83 ERA is unsuitable for a closer and Puk could be the man who steps in to replace him if there is a changing of the guard in Oakland's bullpen.

Puk (2-1) recorded the win over the Astros on Sunday, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout over a scoreless seventh inning.

EDGE Analysis

The big left-hander was sharp, pounding 16 of his 21 pitches in for strikes while generating his fifth straight scoreless appearance. The streak comes in the immediate wake of Puk's roughest patch during what has been an impressive first half of the season overall, as he'd pitched to a 7.71 ERA across 4.2 innings over four outings between June 25 and July 2.

Puk recorded his ninth hold in a win over the Astros on Saturday, firing a scoreless sixth inning during which he hit a batter and recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Puk worked around a plunking of Alex Bregman to produce his second straight scoreless appearance. The big southpaw endured a rough patch recently that saw him allow at least one run in four straight outings, but he's delivered for both the Athletics and fantasy managers this season with nine holds plus an impressive 2.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

Puk allowed an unearned run on one hit while recording four strikeouts over 2.1 innings in a loss to the Mariners on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The big left-hander had endured a bit of a rocky stretch over the previous four appearances, a span in which he'd allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and two walks over 2.1 innings. However, Puk's first outing of at least two innings since May 12 likely served as a confidence booster, as he was exceedingly sharp while pounding in 28 of his 33 pitches for strikes.

Puk (1-1) was charged with the loss against the Yankees on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and a hit batsman over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Puk's rollercoaster of an appearance began when he plunked the first batter he faced, Anthony Rizzo, to load the bases. Giancarlo Stanton subsequently reached on a catcher's interference to plate DJ LeMahieu and Puk then conceded a two-run double to Josh Donaldson before exiting. The rocky outing was an extension of a rough patch for the left-hander, who's now given up at least one run in three of the last four appearances to raise his ERA and WHIP from 1.65 and 0.99 to 2.73 and 1.11, respectively.

Puk allowed two inherited runners to score on two walks and two wild pitches, taking a blown save in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

While the runs and the loss went on Zach Jackson's line, Puk was very clearly responsible. Both walks and wild pitches he gave up came with two outs, and the southpaw's struggles are highlighted by the fact he threw only seven of 17 pitches for strikes. Through nine outings in June, Puk has allowed three runs, seven hits, three hit batters and two walks in 8.2 innings. He still has a 1.91 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 28.1 innings overall, but the shaky showing Thursday wasn't a great first audition for more save chances with Dany Jimenez (shoulder) on the injured list.

Puk allowed an earned run on a solo home run over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Facing Yordan Alvarez in a same-handed matchup in the eighth inning, Puk conceded a 444-foot solo shot to right center that accounted for the final run of the afternoon. Puk still carries an excellent 1.37 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but he's now notably given up an earned run in both of his last two outings after going 12 straight appearances without being scored on from April 14 to May 23.

Puk recorded his third hold in a win over the Angels on Friday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Puk served as a bridge to Dany Jimenez in the ninth with an efficient 13-pitch frame that saw him get nine offerings into the strike zone. The towering southpaw has left a mostly miserable 2021 in the dust, posting one victory and the trio of holds alongside an 0.52 ERA and 0.81 WHIP over 17.1 innings across 13 appearances.

Puk (1-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Tigers on Thursday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout over two scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

The big left-hander's ultra-successful run as a reliever continued in fine fashion Thursday, with Puk's pair of scoreless frames lowering his ERA to 0.60. After a disappointing 2021 at both the Triple-A and big-league levels, Puk appears to have found his groove in the bullpen thanks in no small part to greatly improved control that's underscored by his career-best 1.8 BB/9.