Ernesto Frieri recorded his first hold of the season Saturday, striking out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning against the Rangers.

Frieri recorded his first hold of the season Saturday, striking out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning against the Rangers.

Analysis:

Frieri pitched in a high-leverage situation Saturday for the first time since ceding the closer's role to Joe Smith in late April, retiring the Rangers in order to preserve a 5-3 lead. The 28-year-old has made four appearances since being ousted from his ninth-inning job and has yet to allow a run over that span. It's possible that Frieri is being prepared to be the Halos' stopper once again, meaning Smith, who notched his third save of the year Saturday, may have to continue to excel in order to hold the spot.