Jason Grilli worked a scoreless ninth inning against the Reds on Sunday, preserving a one-run lead and earning his National League-leading 30th save.

The Pirates' closer struggled a bit last month, giving up six runs over six innings between June 19-July 3, but he hasn't surrendered a run in his last four appearances. Grilli, 36, who entered this season with just seven career saves, is 30-for-31 in 2013 save conversions to go with a 1.94 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.

Jason Grilli worked a perfect ninth inning against the Mets on Saturday, preserving a two run lead and earning his National League leading 29th save.

Impressively, Grilli needed just eight pitches to dispatch of the Mets, including a strikeout of Eric Young. The veteran right-hander has exceeded all expectations in his first season as a closer, compiling a 1.99 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and other-worldly 63/9 K/BB ratio in 40 2/3 innings.

Jason Grilli allowed a two-run homer but hung on to record his 28th save of the season in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

He got two flyouts to start the inning, but Jimmy Rollins doubled and Domonic Brown homered to cut the lead to one. Grilli then got Delmon Young swinging to end it. The Pirates' closer has struggled a bit of late, giving up six runs over his last six innings. It's worth noting that he's on pace for a career-high 78 appearances, though it's too soon to start worrying about that.

Jason Grilli bounced back from his first blown save of the year by hurling a perfect ninth inning against the Angels on Saturday.

He struck out two in earning his Major League-leading 26th save (tied with Jim Johnson). The 36-year-old right-hander owns a gaudy 1.07 ERA and 0.74 WHIP to go with a 56/7 K/BB rate over 36 games. Grilli, 36, who entered this season with just seven career saves, is on the short list for fantasy baseball's breakout star of 2013.

Jason Grilli blew his first save of the year against the Reds on Wednesday, giving up a game-tying home run to Jay Bruce in the bottom of the ninth inning.

As Meatloaf said, 25 out of 26 ain't bad. The homer was Grilli's first allowed this year as well, and the earned run ballooned his ERA to 0.99. Everyone is entitled to a bad pitch every now and then; Grilli will be just fine.

Jason Grilli notched his league leading 24th save in Friday's victory over the Dodgers.

He allowed the first two hitters to reach on infield singles, but battled back to get the next three hitters in order, including a pair of strikeouts. The 36-year-old right-hander has shown no signs of slowing down, converting all 24 of his save chances on the season. He owns an outstanding 0.91 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 49/6 K/BB ratio through 29 2/3 innings on the year.

Jason Grilli tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the Cubs on Friday for his major league-leading 23rd save of the season.

Grilli struck out the first two batters swinging before Ryan Sweeney and Dioner Navarro had back-to-back singles. However, he was able to whiff Darwin Barney to end it. Grilli has been dynamite in the closer role this season, going a perfect 23-for-23 in save chances while posting a 0.98 ERA and 46/6 K/BB ratio in 27 2/3 innings.

Jason Grilli struck out the side to record his league-leading 21st save of the season against the Tigers on Tuesday.

Now he's just showing off. The 36-year-old struck out Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder in the 11th inning to seal the win, lowering his ERA to 1.14 with a ridiculous 0.68 WHIP in the process. Grilli has also fanned 37 batters through 23 2/3 innings. He still has yet to blow a save this season.

Jason Grilli earned his 17th save of the season Sunday in the Pirates' 1-0 defeat of the Astros.

Grilli retired all three batters he faced, needing only 10 pitches. He's been probably the best closer in baseball through the first seven weeks of the 2013 season, boasting a 0.92 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 31/4 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings. He has not blown an opportunity.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Jason Grilli is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

He'll get a rest after pitching in back-to-back games. Mark Melancon has also pitched in consecutive games, so Hurdle probably wants to give him a breather, if possible. He may be forced to play the matchups if a save situation is presented.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Jason Grilli is potentially unavailable Monday night.

Grilli left the clubhouse Monday afternoon in street clothes, reportedly to attend to a personal matter. It's not clear when he'll be ready to return. Mark Melancon would be the most likely alternative in a save situation.

Jason Grilli nailed down his National League-leading 15th save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

Grilli recorded a pair of strikeouts while mixing in a flyout. The right-hander's move into the closer role this year has been seamless, as he's tied with Mariano Rivera for the major league lead with 15 saves, and he's yet to blown one. He also boasts a 1.15 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 25/4 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings.

Jason Grilli slammed the door on the Nationals in the ninth inning on Friday, notching his major league-leading 12th save of the season.

So much for the naysayers who avoided Grilli on draft day because he lacked experience in the closers role. He's been absolutely incredible through the first few weeks of the season, converting all 12 of his opportunities while posting a ridiculous 0.69 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 21/4 K/BB ratio over 13 innings of work. With him and setup man Mark Melancon pitching the way they are at the back-end of the Pirates bullpen, they look like a legitimate contender in the National League.

Jason Grilli worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his ninth save of the season Wednesday against the Phillies.

What's that adage about paying for saves? Few probably had Grilli at the top of their list of closers heading into the season, but Grilli has yet to allow an earned run and is a perfect 9-for-9 in save chances. What's more, he's allowed just three hits and four walks in his 10 innings of work. This doesn't look like a fluke, either -- Grilli struck out 90 batters 58 2/3 innings for the Bucs last season. No, despite not entering the year as a "proven closer," Grilli is more than legit.

Jason Grilli registered his sixth save on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth.

There were some doubting Grilli's legitimacy after his strong 2012, but he's proving that last year was no fluke. He has yet to allow a run this season and has 11 strikeouts in seven innings. The Pirates won't lead the league in wins, but Grilli will still get his fair share of saves and strikeouts.

Jason Grilli tallied his fifth save of the season as the Pirates topped the Reds 3-1 on Saturday.

Another easy conversion for the 36-year-old right-hander. Grilli now has a 0.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 7/3 K/BB ratio in 5 2/3 innings this season. He should remain a strong fantasy option throughout the 2013 campaign.

Jason Grilli was a bit shaky on Friday, but managed to preserve a one-run lead against the Reds and notched his fourth save of the season.

Grilli allowed a one-out single to Shin-Soo Choo and a two-out walk to Joey Votto, before fanning the hot-hitting Brandon Phillips to end the night. In his first attempt at being a closer, Grilli has now converted each of his first four opportunities and has yet to be scored upon this season.

Jason Grilli struck out two over a perfect inning Wednesday against the Cubs to record his first save of the season.

Grilli got Anthony Rizzo to ground out before sitting down Alfonso Soriano and Nate Schierholtz swinging. The veteran reliever is taking over the Pirates' closer gig this season after one-and-a-half terrific years with the Pirates. He's got the stuff to succeed, but it remains to be seen how long his leash will be if he struggles.

Jason Grilli gave up two earned runs and three hits in an inning against the Rays on Wednesday.

Grilli has been declared the Pirates' closer following the trade of Joel Hanrahan, but the 36-year-old journeyman will still have some work to do to establish himself. Mark Melancon may threaten for the job if Grilli struggles.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington confirmed Wednesday that Jason Grilli will take over as closer following the trade of Joel Hanrahan.

That was the assumption already, but now it's official. Grilli, 36, has quietly posted a 2.76 ERA and 127/37 K/BB ratio in 91 1/3 innings over the past two seasons. He should be a popular sleeper target in fantasy leagues.