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DETROIT – Fernando Rodney is perhaps baseball’s most famous escape artist, a closer known for pitching himself into stressful situations before, somehow, pitching his way out. The Diamondbacks witnessed that version of Rodney in the season’s first month, but they also experienced one that couldn’t wiggle out of the straightjacket.

But Rodney’s reputation has been taking a hit in recent weeks. The baserunners have vanished, as has the drama. He is just a run-of-the-mill closer these days – an especially good one, at that.

Rodney struck out the side in the ninth inning on Wednesday night, finishing off a 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers, whom the Diamondbacks beat in consecutive one-run games to sweep this two-game series.

Taijuan Walker rolled off the disabled list and pitched, by and large, like he never went on it. Randall Delgado continued his stretch of effectiveness, once again doing it in relief. And Rodney’s anxiety-free ninth put the finishing touches on the Diamondbacks’ 41st win of the season, tying the 2002 club for the most wins after 67 games in franchise history.

“We’re doing a lot of things right,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I’m really pleased with that.”

Rodney blew saves in consecutive outings in late April, creating a mini-crisis for the Diamondbacks and stirring angst in a fan base that believed it had already seen enough of the 40-year-old in the ninth inning.

At that point, he had allowed a staggering 14 earned runs in just 10 innings. He would have needed to throw 32 1/3 scoreless innings to get his ERA below 3.00.

Rodney is almost halfway there – after Wednesday, he has tossed 14 2/3 innings without an earned run – but it’s the way he’s going about it that’s even more impressive. Since the beginning of May, opposing hitters are just 2 for 43 with no extra-base hits, six walks and 14 strikeouts.

He blew a save in Pittsburgh on the previous road trip but has since converted each of his next five chances, with no hits and only one walk allowed.

“I feel good,” Rodney said. “Good command, hit the location and keep the fastball down. I’m making good pitches.”

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When reminded of how efficient his saves have been compared to his high-wire reputation, he smiled. This is what happens when he feels as good as he does, he said.

“Sometimes you feel great and you’re able to finish the game quickly,” Rodney said. “Sometimes there’s more emotion at the end of the game. But I’m prepared for that situation, too. I know how to pick my head up and come back and finish the work.”

The week was a homecoming of sorts for Rodney, who broke into the majors with the Tigers in 2002. He smiled when asked if it brought back memories, his mind transporting him to 2006, when Magglio Ordonez walked off the Oakland Athletics to send the Tigers to the World Series.

“Everyone in the bullpen was so excited that we just left everything there, our gloves and everything, and we jumped onto the field to celebrate,” he said. “For me, that’s something I’m never going to forget.”

He would like more chances to create memories. With the way the Diamondbacks are playing and the way he’s pitching, he might have them. He has converted 18 of 21 save chances while holding opponents to a .207 average. His ERA is still high at 5.11, but Rodney says he isn’t paying attention. Not now, at least.

“I’m just trying to keep pitching how I’ve been doing, try to do my job, and when the season is done, then you look at numbers,” he said. “We care about wins (right now). The more chances you have for saves, the better.”

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.

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Coming up

Friday: At Philadelphia, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (5-6, 5.38) vs. Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (3-4, 4.40).

Saturday: At Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (2-1, 2.44) vs. Phillies RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-7, 5.09).

Sunday: At Philadelphia, 10:35 a.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (7-3, 2.62) vs. Phillies RHP Ben Lively (1-1, 3.00).