Arizona Diamondbacks fans call for change at closer after another Paul Sewald blown save
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo isn't ready to move on from Paul Sewald as his closer after the reliever blew his third straight save in a 5-4 11-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.
“I'm not ready to make that decision,” Lovullo said. “Paul's been an unbelievable closer for us and he will continue to get the baseball.”
Many Diamondbacks fans, however, are ready for a change. On social media, they called for Lovullo to remove Sewald from the closer's role amid his recent struggles in the aftermath of the loss at Chase Field on Monday night.
Right-hander Justin Martinez (3-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 38 innings this season) was mentioned prominently as Sewald's replacement.
Sewald had an ERA of 0.54 seven days ago. After the three blown saves, his ERA has ballooned to 3.93.
More DBacks: Paul Sewald continues nightmare stretch with another blown save in Diamondbacks' loss
VOTE: Should the #DBacks keep Paul Sewald as closer? (Fans call for change after another blown save: https://t.co/dGgqoWfjxX) @azcentral @azcsports
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) July 9, 2024
Diamondbacks fans call for Paul Sewald's removal as closer on social media post:
The Diamondbacks' score post on X after the loss to the Braves was inundated with calls for a switch at closer:
I feel bad for Seawald; obviously, he's in a slump, but Martinez should be out there closing. It was a terrible move tonight not to have him close out the game. Unacceptable.
— Joe 🌵 (@Joegrana_photo) July 9, 2024
3 straight blown saves for Sewald… I think it’s time to look at other options for closer… especially when you could of swept the Dodgers and the Padres in back to back series.. 3 HUGE losses..
— Nighthawk (@wesprice112) July 9, 2024
I’m tired of Paul Sewald…
— The AZ sports fan! (@TheAZsportsfan1) July 9, 2024
We be on a 9 game winning streak if Sewald didn’t exist 😞
— Thomas 🏀⚾️ (@ThomasBuckets78) July 9, 2024
You got someone that throws 102 and a filthy slider in your bullpen named Justin Martinez make him the closer
— Ranger Suarez enjoyer (@ElijahSmith1278) July 9, 2024
Paul Sewald may have cost this team a playoff spot!
— Corbin Carroll stan (@christianjflo) July 9, 2024
It’s time for Paul Sewald to be a setup guy
— BigFlopa (Its Over) (@FlopaBig) July 9, 2024
It's time for Martinez to close out the games
— Tata (@sunsedbacks) July 9, 2024
This has to be it for Sewald
— Cedric Mussi (@CedricMussi) July 9, 2024
Paul went from 0.51ERA to public enemy number one really quickly. I feel for him. He is a top class dude and family man. Hope he can turn it around
— Levi “Half Fee Lee” (@HalfFeeLee) July 9, 2024
Aaaaaand Sewald hands a third consecutive win to the opposing team....this is downright ridiculous
— Chad (@chase_the_drunk) July 9, 2024
One strike away and couldn’t close. Who’s replacing Sewald?
— Corbin Barrels 💣 (@zahncho) July 9, 2024
Sewald blowing another game what else is new time for a change at the closer position
— Mark Moreno (@markkymoreno25) July 9, 2024
Do you think the DBacks need to make a change at closer after Sewald's three straight blown saves?
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks fans call for Paul Sewald's removal as closer
