Trevor Megill and Jared Koenig had both worked each of the previous two days, so Payamps got the call tonight. He delivered, too, even though he’d come into this one having given up five runs in two innings this season. Megill should be back in the closer’s role Friday.

“We’d like to give you $3 million, Joel, but we just can’t set precedents.” Or something like that. Payamps’ 2024 didn’t measure up to his stellar 2023, but he was quite effective again in amassing a 3.05 ERA in 59 innings. The setup man will be eligible for arbitration one last time next year.

Payamps probably would have remained in for the eighth today after getting just one out to finish the seventh, but the soreness changed things. It’s unclear whether he’ll miss additional time.

With Devin Williams not available after working Thursday, it was Payamps who got the save chance. He succeeded while allowing no hits and picking up a strikeout. That’s the sixth save of the season for Payamps, and the scoreless frame lowers his ERA to a solid — if unspectacular — 3.63 on the year.