Emilio Pagan Delivers Under Pressure: Nails Down First Save of the Season for the Reds
In the world of Major League Baseball, relievers often don’t receive the same spotlight as starting pitchers or everyday position players. However, when the game is on the line, there’s a select group of players who relish the opportunity to be the one to step up in the clutch moments. One such player is Cincinnati Reds’ reliever Emilio Pagan, who, on a recent night, made it clear why he should be trusted in high-leverage situations. Pagan not only wanted the ball but delivered when the game was on the line, securing his first save of the season in a dramatic finish.
A Moment to Shine
The Reds had been in a tight contest all evening, with both teams trading punches back and forth. The game had come down to the wire in the bottom of the ninth inning, with the Reds clinging to a slender one-run lead. As the game approached its climax, the bullpen phone rang, and the manager turned to Pagan, the veteran right-hander who had been a reliable piece of the Reds’ bullpen for several seasons. With the pressure mounting and the game hanging in the balance, Pagan didn’t hesitate. He wanted the ball. It was his moment to shine.
When asked after the game about his mindset entering the high-leverage situation, Pagan’s confidence was evident. “I always want the ball in those moments,” he said. “As a reliever, that’s what you train for, what you live for. I wanted to be the guy to go out there and close this out for the team.”
A Season of Expectations
Pagan’s desire to be the man when the stakes are highest is rooted in his experience as a proven reliever. The 33-year-old had spent time in several big league bullpens, with stints on the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and San Diego Padres. Throughout his career, Pagan had built a reputation as someone who can handle the heat of late-inning situations, but 2025 had presented new challenges.
Coming into the season, the Reds had high expectations for Pagan to be a stabilizing force in their bullpen. As with any veteran player, the hope was that he could help anchor a young and evolving pitching staff. Despite Pagan’s steady presence, his 2025 campaign had started slowly. There had been moments of brilliance, but the consistency that the Reds were hoping for hadn’t fully materialized. Some rough patches had raised questions about his effectiveness. However, when the Reds needed him most, Pagan demonstrated the mental fortitude and skill that made him a trusted arm in the bullpen.
Stepping Up in the Ninth Inning
With the Reds leading 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, the opposing team came to bat with the potential to steal the game away. Pagan knew he would be facing some of the toughest hitters of the opponent’s lineup, but he was unfazed. His routine was clear, his approach focused. “I just have to stay within myself and not overthink it,” Pagan explained. “I’ve been in these situations before. It’s all about executing your pitches.”
Pagan stepped onto the mound with a level of calm that belied the pressure of the moment. The first batter was a tough one, an All-Star hitter known for his ability to make contact in key moments. Pagan started with a fastball, throwing it on the inside corner. The batter fouled it off. Then, Pagan mixed in a slider, which caught the batter off guard, inducing a swing and miss for strike two.
With the count at 1-2, Pagan dialed up another slider, this time breaking it out of the strike zone. The batter chased, and Pagan had him swinging for strike three. One out down, two to go.
The next batter was a heavy hitter with plenty of power, capable of turning the game around with a single swing of the bat. Pagan, however, remained unfazed, using his fastball to pound the inside part of the plate. A ground ball was induced, and the Reds’ defense turned it into a routine out, leaving Pagan one out away from a successful save.
The final batter of the game represented the last hope for the opposing team. With the crowd on edge, Pagan fired another fastball, then a sharp curveball. After a few tense moments, Pagan struck out the batter swinging, sealing the 4-3 victory and earning his first save of the season.
The Importance of the Save
While Pagan’s save on that night might have seemed like just another win for the Reds, its significance stretched far beyond that. First and foremost, it marked a personal milestone for Pagan, securing his first save of the year in what had been a somewhat rocky start to the season. The feeling of accomplishment was palpable.
“It feels great to get that first save,” Pagan reflected after the game. “There’s a lot of pressure in those situations, but it’s also where you earn the trust of your teammates and coaching staff. That’s what I want to continue to do for this team — earn their trust.”
For the Reds, Pagan’s performance was also a crucial step forward in a season filled with uncertainty. The Reds had been fighting hard for playoff contention, and every win, especially those closed out in dramatic fashion, matters. Pagan’s confidence, poise, and performance on the mound sent a message to the team: they could rely on him when it mattered most.
A Step Toward Consistency
While this was Pagan’s first save of the season, it could very well serve as a springboard for the rest of his campaign. The Reds’ bullpen has had its ups and downs this year, but with Pagan showing he can handle high-leverage moments, his role as a key piece in the bullpen is solidified.
Manager David Bell spoke highly of Pagan after the game, praising his veteran presence and ability to execute in big moments. “Emilio has been in situations like that many times before,” Bell said. “He showed what kind of competitor he is tonight. We’re proud of him.”
Looking Ahead
As the Reds continue their push for a playoff berth, Pagan will be a critical figure in the bullpen. If this performance is any indication, the team can count on him in tight games and crucial moments. With his first save of the season in the books, Pagan now looks to build on this success and help his team win when it matters most.
For the Reds, having a reliever who not only wants the ball in those key moments but can also deliver is a major asset. As the season progresses, Pagan’s ability to rise to the occasion will be a storyline to follow closely, and if he continues to deliver performances like this, his role as a trusted late-inning arm will only grow.
As for Emilio Pagan, he’s just getting started. He’s already shown that when the game is on the line, he’s more than ready to rise to the challenge.
