WASHINGTON - Mark Melancon is coming off his third Major League Baseball All-Star game, in which he has pitched in two of them.
But the Golden High School graduate is more than just a right-handed closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team he has played with since 2013.
"He is just at outstanding man on and off the field," said Neal Huntington, the general manager of the Pirates. "A leader in our clubhouse by example and his words. He is incredible example with his routine and diligence. He is a spectacular example for young pitchers."
Melancon, 31, a University of Arizona product, backs up his leadership skills with a consistent ability to close out games for the Pirates.
The right-hander recorded his 27th save of this season on July 8.
In his previous 23 games through July 17 he had 16 saves and did not allow an earned run. He finally gave up an earned run on July 17 when Washington Nationals all-star infielder Daniel Murphy hit a home run with two outs in the last of the ninth to tie the game at 1-1.
Melancon shook off catcher Erik Kratz before throwing a pitch that Murphy hit down the right-field line for the homer. The Pirates ended up winning 2-1 in 18 innings as Pittsburgh outfielder Starling Marte hit a solo homer in the top of the 18th off Oliver Perez of the Nationals.
Despite that blown save, Melancon was 0-1 with an impressive ERA of 1.43 in 41 games, with 27 saves in 29 chances. That gave him 148 saves in his big league career out of 169 chances.
Those numbers helped land him on the National League All-Star team for the game that was played July 12 in San Diego. He was also on the National League team for All-Star games in 2013 and 2015.
"They have all been great in their own right, of course," Melancon said, standing in the Pirates clubhouse during the recent series in Washington. "I said to someone else they should have the game every year in San Diego for so many reasons."
"The weather is always nice in San Diego and travelling west made a huge difference," he added. "When you get there you have a lot to do (as a player). Flying west you gain some of that time."
The day before the All-Star game the wife and children of Melancon went to Sea World in San Diego while the pitcher went to Petco Park to work out with his trainer.
"I got in a nice workout," he said.
Later that day his family joined him at the park for the annual Home Run Derby.
"My family got to come on the field. I took a lot of pictures with them," he said. "I got to enjoy that moment. That is probably the most special time, during the derby."
Melancon then pitched in the seventh inning of the All-Star game. He retired a batter with runners on base as second baseman Murphy, of Washington, made a nice play on a grounder.
"He is an All-Star so I expect it. He is a great player. I asked him afterwards if he looked to first base" before throwing the ball, Melancon said of Murphy.
The Pirates had a rough June before the All-Star break but played better in July.
"We obviously need to pitch better. When we pitch well we seem to win," he said. "Being consistent is always the key. We are kind of built to win by one or two runs. If we are consistent and do the things we are supposed to the results will come."
Melancon normally doesn't pitch unless the Pirates are leading by a run or two going into the ninth inning. If he doesn't pitch for two days in a row he will do "dry" work off the pitcher's mound the third day, in which he does everything but actually throw the ball.
"I have to stay fresh," Melancon said.
Melancon was drafted in the ninth round by the New York Yankees in 2006. After stints in Houston (2011) and Boston (2012) he was traded to the Pirates after the 2012 season.
For the month of July he was throwing to catchers Kratz and Eric Fryer, both who have been backups most of their careers while some of the top Pittsburgh catchers were on the disabled list.
"Both guys are hard-working guys who want to learn and want to get better," Melancon said of Kratz and Fryer. "They have a willingness to do what you want to do and be open minded. That has not been an issue."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/Melancon-an-All-Star-once-again,231088?branding=15
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