Phillies reliever endures brutal traffic, earns first career save years between MLB appearances

Pinto debuted with 25 games out of the Phillies bullpen in 2017 and made two relief appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019.

His effort on Tuesday was overshadowed by first baseman Bryce Harper's slump-busting three home run performance, but Pinto's story shouldn't be lost on fans in Philadelphia.

Not only did the 30-year-old have to wait over half a decade to get his call back to the majors, but when he finally got promoted again, he had to deal with brutal traffic just to make it to Citizens Bank Park.

Pinto allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts and no walks in the 9-4 victory. Pinto threw 46 of his 73 pitches for strikes and recorded seven swings and misses.

The right-hander spent 2023 pitching with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos and the Diablos Rojos del Mexico in the Mexican League before going to his native Venezuela for winter ball action.

Pinto signed a minor league contract with the Phillies in February. He allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings pitched covering four outings in spring training.