Bard allowed one hit, one walk and also hit a batter while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning to earn a save Thursday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Bard was given a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base. However, he buckled down with the bases loaded to strike out Matt Beaty before inducing a weak line drive off the bat of Mookie Betts to end the game. Bard is the clear closer in Colorado and managed to convert his first save chance, but will need to control his pitches better to experience continued success.

Bard will serve as the Rockies' closer to begin the season, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Bud Black unsurprisingly said Friday that Bard would handle the ninth-inning duties to begin the season after he ended the 2020 campaign in the role. Right-hander Scott Oberg could compete for save chances once he builds back up to full strength after he underwent surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome in September, but Bard will have the opportunity to secure the role early in the season. Bard converted on all six of his save chances in 2020 and posted a 3.65 ERA and 27:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings.

Bard signed a one-year, $2.925 million deal with the Rockies on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old returned to the big leagues from a six-year absence in 2020 and delivered a 3.65 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 27:10 K:BB over 24.2 innings while converting all six save chances. Bard finished the campaign as Colorado's primary closer and should enter spring training as the favorite for the job in 2021.

Bard (4-2) picked up the win Thursday against the Giants, allowing one hit and two walks across 2.2 scoreless innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Bard entered with one out and the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth. He kept the Giants off the board through the 10th inning and ended up picking up his fourth win after the Rockies took the lead in the 11th. Overall, Bard has logged 27 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA while notching six saves on the season.

Bard was credited with the hold in Sunday's win over the Dodgers, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks across one inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Bard entered to get the final out of the eighth before running into trouble in the ninth. A hit batter, two singles and a walk ultimately led to the right-hander being replaced by Mychal Givens with two outs. Despite the shaky outing, Bard seems likely to remain Colorado's primary closer during the final week of the regular season.

Bard (3-2) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two over one inning to earn the win Friday versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Bard gave up a go-ahead homer to Anthony Bemboom in the ninth inning, but the Rockies got him off the hook with a five-run rally in the bottom half of the frame. The run was Bard's first in his last five innings. The 35-year-old closer has a 3.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, six saves and 25 strikeouts in 19 innings this year.

Bard allowed two walks and struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Bard needed 26 pitches to navigate the outing, but he was able to record a save for the second consecutive game. The right-hander now has a 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 23:5 k:BB across 18 innings this season. He seems to have strengthened his grasp on the closer role -- both Carlos Estevez and Mychal Givens pitched before Bard in Sunday's contest.

Bard picked up the save Saturday against the Dodgers, tossing a scoreless inning and allowing one hit while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Bard entered the game in the ninth inning staked to a 5-2 lead and made relatively easy work of the Dodgers, allowing only a one-out single to AJ Pollock. Over his last five outings, Bard has picked up four saves and one win while allowing only one run in five innings. He has a 3.71 ERA on the season and appears to have a firm hold on the closer position in Colorado.

Bard earned the save in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Giants by retiring the side in order with two strikeouts during the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander had a nice three-run cushion and took care of the Giants with ease to close things out Wednesday. Bard has a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 ERA and 19:3 K:BB through 16 innings and has converted all four of his save chances this season.

Bard (2-2) earned the win Saturday against the Padres by pitching a scoreless ninth inning and allowing one hit while fanning one.

EDGE Analysis

Bard pitched the top of the ninth inning and allowed a single to Jurickson Profar to kick things off, but he settled down afterwards, inducing Ty France to hit into a double play and striking out Trent Grisham to end the frame in only nine pitches (seven strikes). Bard has allowed runs in four of his last seven relief appearances and owns a 4.35 ERA in 12 outings (10.1 innings) this month.