Tyler Clippard named MLB Delivery Man of the Month for June

Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals has been selected as the winner of the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award for June, it was announced today. This Major League Baseball award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season as voted on by a panel from Major League Baseball. Clippard converted each of his 10 save opportunities during the month of June while not allowing a run over 11.2 innings pitched. The 27-year-old right-hander permitted just two hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts over his 12 appearances, and did not factor in any decisions. The 2011 NL All-Star converted saves on three consecutive days against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park from June 8-10. In the three contests, he allowed one hit with one walk and three strikeouts over 2.1 innings pitched. The Florida native made six consecutive appearances from June 10-23 without allowing a hit, tossing 1.0 inning in each of the contests and walking just three. Since assuming the closer's role on May 22, Clippard has converted all 13 of his save chances while working 15.1 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. The ninth-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft (by the New York Yankees) is 1-2 on the season with a 1.83 ERA over 35 appearances. In 34.1 innings pitched, he has allowed seven earned runs on 16 hits with 15 walks and 39 strikeouts. He is the Nationals' all-time leader with 322 strikeouts in relief since the franchise moved to D.C. in 2005. Other relievers receiving votes included Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer and 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Firestone candidate Ernesto Frieri (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8 SV, 11.1 IP, 15 SO); Seattle Mariners closer Tom Wilhelmsen (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 SV, 15.2 IP, 20 SO); New York Yankees closer Rafael Soriano (0-0, 1.64 ERA, 11 SV, 11.0 IP, 8 SO); and 2011 N.L. Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel (0-1, 0.82 ERA, 8 SV, 11.0 IP, 20 SO) of the Atlanta Braves.