The month of May was unusual yet successful for Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams
TORONTO – So closes the book on a strange month of May for Devin Williams.
By virtue of the nature of the types of games the Milwaukee Brewers played in going 11-16 – while still maintaining first place in the Central Division standings – Williams pitched 8⅓ innings over seven appearances.
That was by far the least the right-hander has been utilized since becoming the team’s closer and the least he’d pitched in any capacity since July 2021, when he was setting up for Josh Hader.
Williams capped his May with a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, a three-out save that snapped a string of three consecutive multi-inning appearances.
“Devin has had a strange season – just, the number of appearances has been very low,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And I don't want that to continue. We want it to kind of normalize. And if it normalizes, I don't think you'll see him that often in multi-inning appearances.
“So, it's just the nature of his season. It's just been different. I'd rather see him out there four times a week in one-inning appearances. That's what I'll tell you.
“Just, the games, for whatever reason (haven't called for him).”
Williams’ last five appearances entering Thursday’s series finale in Toronto had generated a victory followed by four consecutive saves, leaving him 3-0 with a 0.51 earned run average and WHIP of 0.85 for the season.
He’d also struck out 22 in 17⅔ innings over 17 total appearances while converting all nine of his save opportunities.
Opponents were also batting just .133 against Williams, and the only run he had surrendered came on a Thairo Estrada solo home run May 7 in San Francisco.
Williams was also part of an unusual accomplishment by Milwaukee's pitching staff Wednesday, when he and three others combined to issue no walks and register no strikeouts over nine innings.
It was just the sixth time in franchise history that's happened and the first time since 1992.
Wade Miley making progress
Counsell had some good news to report regarding left-hander Wade Miley, who’s been on the injured list since May 17 with a strained left lat muscle.
The left-hander is nearing the green light to begin throwing bullpen sessions, an important first step in returning to the rotation.
Miley had been one of Milwaukee’s most-consistent starters before being injured, going 3-2 with a 3.67 ERA over eight turns.
“It's going really well,” Counsell said. “He feels great. We're trying to push this along with Wade and, so far, all signs are good.
“So, we'll push him as fast as it's kind of reasonable. But it's pointing in a good direction here.”
Another injured left-hander, Eric Lauer, is expected to begin a minor-league rehab stint in the coming days. He’s been on the IL since May 22 with a strained right shoulder.
Brice Turang has been flashing the leather
Entering Thursday, rookie Brice Turang had yet to commit an error in the major leagues in 182 chances (165 at second base and 17 at shortstop).
According to the metrics, Turang had accounted for minus-1 outs above average (seventh on the Brewers), three defensive runs saved at second base and minus-1 defensive runs saved at shortstop.
"He's gifted at it," Counsell said. "He's a gifted defender and that's going to show up no matter where you put him on a baseball field."
More: Milwaukee Brewers players injury updates for the 2023 season
More: Two months in, here's a look at Wisconsin players and ex-Brewers in Major League Baseball
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The month of May was unusual yet successful for Brewers Devin Williams
