Reds' Chapman named Delivery Man of the Month

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman on Friday was named the winner of the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month award for July.

The award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher each month of the regular season.

The dominant pitcher recorded a MLB best 13 saves during July, successfully converting each of his opportunities while not allowing a run over 14.1 innings pitched. The 24-year-old Chapman struck out 31 batters, allowed only six hits and two walks in 15 appearances.

In three games against the St. Louis Cardinals from July 13-15, Chapman recorded two saves, struck out eight batters, and allowed one hit and one walk in three innings. The Cuban native tossed five consecutive innings without allowing a hit from July 14-22, struck out 12 and only walked one batter over that span.

Going back to July 15, Chapman has recorded a save in each of his last 11 outings and converted each of his last 15 save opportunities dating back to June 26.

So far in 2012, Chapman is 4-4 with a 1.39 ERA. He's only allowed eight earned runs and 23 hits in 51.2 innings pitched. He's recorded a strikeout in 47 of his 48 appearances and struck out at least two batters in 33 games.

The closer is on pace for 149 strikeouts this season which would set a new team record by a reliever. Rob Dibble, one of the Nasty Boys, struck out 141 in 1989. The National League record is held by Brad Lidge (Houston Astros - 157 in 2004).