Rondon pitched a quick ninth on Friday to record his fifth save of the season.

Rondon looked good on Friday giving up just one hit and striking out two batters. His season ERA is at 1.64 to go along with 11 strikeouts in as many innings. No one else will be saving games for the Cubs anytime soon.

Rondon blew the save on Saturday, entering the game with two on and none out in the ninth inning and promptly coughing up four hits, allowing both inherited runners to score while getting charged with two runs of his own.

The Cubs ended up winning in 11 innings, and it was Rondon's first rough appearance of the season, so he's still got a firm hold of the closer job. After pitching in back-to-back games though, he might get the day off Sunday in the series finale against the Padres.

Rondon pitched a scoreless inning Saturday, his third in a row to start the season.

Saturday's appearance wasn't a save opportunity for Rondon, but so far he has given up just one hit and one walk in three appearances this year. Though Pedro Strop is also pitching well, Rondon is firmly entrenched as the closer in Chicago.

Rondon needed just six pitches to retire the side in the ninth inning against the Cardinals on Wednesday to record his first save of the season.

It took three other relievers to handle the eighth inning, but the Cubs' closer had no difficulty putting down the Cards to seal up the win. All six of Rondon's pitches were fastballs, and he was sitting at 95-96 mph during the outing Wednesday.

Rondon pitched one inning Friday against the White Sox, giving up two hits, including a solo home run.

Friday's run was the first earned run given up by Rondon all spring. Though he has a 1.29 ERA and eight strikeouts in seven innings, he's also given up eight hits and three walks. He's locked into the closer job this year, and if he can keep his walk rate and home-run rate down as low as it was last year, it should be another successful season.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Saturday that Rondon will remain the closer to begin the season, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The endorsement came with a minor caveat, as Maddon stressed that he believes in using "the right reliever" in high-leverage situations. Regardless, it sounds like Rondon will be the man in the ninth inning until performance dictates otherwise. Using a fastball that averaged almost 96 mph, a slider and a cutter, Rondon struck batters out at a 9.0 K/9 clip and finished with a 2.42 ERA and 29 saves in 44 appearances last season.

Rondon pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 27th save of the season Wednesday in a 3-1 win over the Cardinals.

Rondon has allowed only two runs over his last 27 appearances, beginning on July 11. The right-hander has done enough to solidify his standing as the Cubs' closer heading into 2015.

Rondon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in a non-save situation against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Rondon has allowed only one run in his last 17 innings, and is looking to show Cubs' management he is the future at closer. He currently owns a 2.54 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 61:15 K:BB in 60.1 innings this year.

Rondon earned his 23rd save of the season Monday against the Brewers as he allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts in one scoreless inning.

Rondon has not allowed a run in his last 10 appearances and although he plays for a bad team and didn't start the season as the team's closer, he looks likely to finish somewhere around 25 or 30 saves this season. He has recorded 57 strikeouts in 53.1 innings as well, making him a valuable fantasy option.

Rondon tossed a scoreless ninth inning and recorded his 22nd save of the season in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

Working for the second time in as many nights, Rondon didn't appear to be fatigued at all, retiring the side in an efficient 13 pitches. Saves were often scarce for him in June and July, but he's raked in eight of his 22 on the season just in the last two weeks.

Rondon pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 21st save of the season in a win over Baltimore on Sunday.

Rondon has converted seven straight save opportunities and hasn't allowed a single earned run over his previous eight innings of work. In the process, he's lowered his ERA from 3.32 to 2.81.

Rondon closed out the win over New York Monday to grab his 18th save of the season, striking out two.

Rondon did allow a double to Daniel Murphy but navigated the rest of inning with ease. He's managed to lower his ERA to 3.17 after it rose to it's highest point (3.93) of the season on July 11th.

Rondon earned his first save of the month with a clean ninth inning against the Brewers on Tuesday.

There have been some bumps in the road for the first-time closer, but Rondon has 15 saves and a 3.38 ERA this year. His 49:13 K:BB ratio in 45.1 innings is better than a lot of a closers as well, so he can probably hold onto the job and even head into 2015 as the Cubs' closer if they don't sign a free agent to fill the role.

Rondon (3-3) blew his fourth save of the year on Tuesday, giving up one run on three hits while striking out two over his one inning of work.

He'd end up picking up the win as the Cubs took the lead for good in the 12th inning. Rondon allowed back-to-back one out singles, then gave up the game-tying hit to Charlie Culberson with two outs and two strikes on him. His job is still secure, and Tuesday's outing should be viewed as no more than a minor speed bump. The Cubs' closer is now 14-for-18 in save situations with a 3.40 ERA and a 48:13 K:BB over 42.1 innings.

Hector Rondon secured his 12th save of the season on Friday, working a scoreless ninth inning to protect a one-run lead against the Cardinals.

It's the first save chance that the Cubs have generated for him in over a week, and with his recent struggles it was a much needed clean inning from the big right-hander. He owns a 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 40/13 K/BB ratio over 36 1/3 innings, but has to be on his toes with Neil Ramirez looming and ready to take his job at any moment.

Hector Rondon was handed his third blown save of the season on Friday after surrendering a run in the ninth inning against the Braves.

Tasked with protecting a one-run advantage, Rondon allowed a leadoff double to Jason Heyward to put himself in trouble. After battling back to get the next two outs, Christian Bethancourt delivered an RBI single to score Heyward and tie the game. The Cubs did manage to score in the bottom half of the inning to earn him a backdoor win. With as much as he's struggled lately, it wouldn't be surprising to see Neil Ramirez get the ball the next time the Cubs are facing a save situation.

Hector Rondon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th save Monday against the Red Sox.

Rondon got the job done for his third save in the two weeks since he returned from a sore elbow, but the Cubs made obvious their wavering confidence in him when they got Neil Ramirez up after a leadoff single in the ninth. Rondon erased the baserunner with a double play ball and then got another groundout, so he'll probably receive the next save chance. However, his job simply isn't very secure at the moment.

Hector Rondon slammed the door on the Nationals, working a scoreless ninth in Thursday's victory.

Rondon easily protected a two-run lead, getting two ground outs and a strikeout for a 1-2-3 inning. It was the right-hander's first appearance since relenting five runs to the Reds on Monday. Now 9-for-11 in save opportunities, Rondon now carries a 3.68 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and a 35/10 K/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings.

After entering a tie game in the ninth, Hector Rondon was pounded for five runs by the Reds on Monday.

Rondon's ERA jumped from 2.28 to 3.56. The grand slam he gave up to Devin Mesoraco was the first homer he's allowed in 28 innings this season. As impressive as Neil Ramirez has been, Rondon's hold on the Cubs' closer role in tenuous. He didn't blow a save tonight, but his job security took a hit.

Hector Rondon tossed a perfect ninth inning Friday against the Pirates for his eighth save of the season.

He struck out two batters in the inning. Rondon has been bothered by an elbow issue recently, so this was his first save chance since he took the loss against the Marlins on June 6. He has struck out five of the eight batters he has faced since returning to action, so it looks like he's back on track physically.