Ottavino anointed Rockies' new closer

Adam Ottavino came through with a dominant inning of work on the same day he was named the Colorado Rockies' new closer. 

Ottavino struck out the side Tuesday to earn his second career save and help the first-place Rockies down the San Francisco Giants 4-1.

Colorado manager Walt Weiss turned the closer's role over to Ottavino after veteran LaTroy Hawkins got roughed up in back-to-back appearances.

"I'm not against closer by committee or anything," Weiss told reporters, "but I think Otto deserves a shot at closing games. We've got some guys that can do it, but Otto will do well in that role."

Ottavino, who has spent the last four seasons with the Rockies, worked as the team's set-up man in 2014, notching a career-best 21 holds. He posted a 2.53 ERA and 27.3 percent strikeout rate in the second half, and has picked up right where he left off. 

The right-hander has allowed one hit over five scoreless appearances, while striking out 10 and walking one. 

Armed with a mid-90s fastball that saw an uptick toward the end of last season, Ottavino added a cutter to an arsenal that also includes a wipeout slider.