Cleveland Indians RP Rafael Perez pitched one perfect inning of relief Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Texas Rangers, with one strikeout, according to The Associated Press. He was credited with the victory, and improved to 3-3 on the year.

News: Rafael Perez (3-3) worked a scoreless seventh Saturday and Jensen Lewis struck out the side in the ninth to earn his sixth save in seven chances. The Indians bullpen pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Jeremy Sowers. "Give credit to the rest our bullpen," Lewis said. "If they don't shut down that offense, we never get to that point."

Analysis: Perez is a viable middle reliever for the deepest of leagues that use true middle men down the stretch. He isn't quite a candidate to close, but we could see him in that role in the future -- especially for a team that has struggled to find a closer before Lewis got hot in the role

The Associated Press reports Cleveland Indians RP Rafael Perez picked up his second save Monday, Aug. 4.

Rafael Perez earned his second save Monday by pitching two perfect innings in the 5-2 win over the Rays. Masa Kobayashi hadn't pitched since Thursday, so it was a surprise not to see him in a three-run game. Perez is the Indians' best reliever and is likely on his way to getting more save chances, but the team can save him for one-run games and let Kobayashi handle the easy one.Related: Masahide Kobayashi

News: Indians RP Rafael Perez pitched two perfect innings in relief of Cliff Lee Monday to record his second save during a 5-2 win against the Rays. Perez struck out two for his first save since July 25.

Analysis: Perez has now tossed four straight scoreless outings spanning 7 1/3 innings. He has allowed just one hit in that span and has eight strikeouts. Perez is expected to see some save chances down the stretch for Cleveland, but Masahide Kobayashi will likely see the majority of chances. Treat Perez as a middle reliever for leagues that use true middle men

The Akron Beacon Journal's Sheldon Ocker reports Cleveland Indians RP Rafael Perez is a candidate to be the team's closer in the future, but it would be difficult for the team to move him out of the seventh and eighth innings. ''He's been very valuable where he is,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ''You know, there's a lot of value in someone being able to get to the ninth inning. And closers can come from places you never see coming. The fact is, you never know if someone can close until he actually does it.''