Mike Scioscia gives Ernesto Frieri a vote of confidence - MLB

Ernesto Frieri’s 2014 season continued to be a nightmare with Saturday night’s appearance against the Braves. Staked to a 5-1 lead at the start of the ninth inning, Frieri allowed four runs on three singles, a triple, and a ground-rule double before he was yanked from the ballgame. The outing bumped Frieri’s ERA up to 5.46.

Frieri was demoted from the closer’s role towards the end of April, but returned to closing duty after a successful string of appearances in non-save situations in May. It would seem Frieri is once again in danger of losing his job, but manager Mike Scioscia gave Frieri a vote of confidence, saying is no change in how he’s handling the bullpen, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

Frieri has allowed runs in two out of his last five appearances. Overall, along with the ugly ERA, Frieri has an 0-3 record with two blown saves and a 36/7 K/BB ratio in 28 innings.

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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.