K-Rod moves into 10th on all-time saves list

September 28, 2014

Milwaukee Brewers – Francisco Rodriguez pitched a scoreless 9th inning for his 44th save of the season.  It was also K-Rod’s 348th career save, which moves him into 10th place all-time.

Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Broxton | Smith.

Chicago White Sox — Javy Guerra picked up his first save of the season last night.  Jake Petricka started the 9th inning, but left with a lower back injury.  Guerra was able to come on and get the last three outs for a White Sox win on a night when they honored retiring Paul Konerko.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Zach Putnam/Javy Guerra, Chicago White Sox – Jake Petricka left yesterday’s game with a back injury.
2. Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners – Fernando Rodney has pitched in three straight.

Papelbon appears in Philly for first time since suspension

September 27, 2014

Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon made his first appearance in Philadelphia since he was suspended for making a lewd gesture after blowing a save a few weeks ago.  As you would expect, fans booed Papelbon when he was announced for the 9th inning, but he was still able to pick up his 39th save of the season.  Papelbon still has at least one year left on his deal, but after his recent actions and the performance of rookie Ken Giles, the Phillies will likely try to trade Papelbon in the off-season.

Hierarchy remains: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman.

Toronto Blue Jays – Marcus Stroman recorded a four inning save last night.  Stroman, making his first appearance since being suspended for throwing at Caleb Joseph, gave up only one hit while striking out four.  Stroman is a promising young starter for the Blue Jays and will not factor into their bullpen plans.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Dellin Betances, New York Yankees – David Robertson has appeared in two straight and three of the past four.

David Robertson not helping his cause for 2015

September 26, 2014

New York Yankees – So it turns out that baseball is totally rigged, and last night, David Robertson owners were the victims. Robertson’s role in “Yeah Jeets!: The Musical” was to ensure that Derek Jeter got a final at-bat, which meant a brutal blown save that included two home runs. In all seriousness, the Yankee brass should definitely mull the Robertson vs. Dellin Betances question in the offseason. Robertson has been pretty-good-but-not-great all year, while Betances has had one of the best seasons for a reliever of all time.

Hierarchy remains: Robertson | Betances | Warren.

Detroit Tigers – If you’re in a deep league with the holds category coming down to the wire, you might want to snag Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez recently returned from the disabled list, and Brad Ausmus has vowed that he could be used at any point in the game.

Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals – Just a hunch, but Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard both pitched yesterday, and the Nats may want to give them extra rest heading into the postseason.

Benoit back as closer; two AL East relievers grab vulture saves

September 25, 2014

San Diego Padres — For the first time in nearly a month, Joaquin Benoit picked up a save thanks to a perfect ninth inning. He lowered his ERA to 1.52 and has picked up a save in seven of his last eight outings. While veteran Vulture Save Watch resident Kevin Quackenbush may get Thursday’s chance if needed, Benoit should get another crack at the ninth inning before the season is over.

Hierarchy remains: Benoit | Quackenbush | Thayer.

Baltimore Orioles — Darren O’Day entered the eighth inning with two outs and the tying run on deck. He got out of the jam without any further damage before completing a perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Britton | O’Day | Miller.

Toronto Blue Jays – Aaron Sanchez locked down a 1-0 victory for the Jays to earn his third save of the season. It was his first save since Sept. 3, and he was warming as the Jays were in the midst of a scoreless game in the eighth inning. While speculation remains as to whether Sanchez will remain in the bullpen or start next season, Casey Janssen hinted that he will explore free agency next year.

Hierarchy remains: Janssen | Sanchez | Cecil.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Casey Fien, Minnesota Twins — Jared Burton has pitched in back-to-back games, throwing 45 pitches in that span.
2. Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals — The Nats and Mets will play two on Thursday thanks to a Wednesday washout, so Soriano is a good bet to get the ninth in at least one of those two tilts as Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard are both rested for the postseason.
3. Jeurys Familia, New York Mets — With a doubleheader on the docket, Jenrry Mejia may get a rest in the second game.
4. Kevin Quackenbush, San Diego Padres — As mentioned above, Joaquin Benoit might not get two save chances in a row.

Jonathan Papelbon returns from suspension

September 24, 2014

Philadelphia Phillies — Jonathan Papelbon returned from his seven-game suspension on Tuesday. According to Ryne Sandberg, Papelbon will immediately return to the closer role, which should make for riveting television when the last-place Phillies close their season at home this weekend.

Updated hierarchy: Papelbon | Giles | Diekman.

Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka gave back a game to the Tigers in the bottom of the ninth last night, but Robin Ventura and the White Sox brass still like him to close, both now and perhaps next year.

Hierarchy remains: Petricka | Putnam | Guerra.

San Francisco Giants — Incensed that beat writer Andrew Baggarly spilled the beans on an internecine feud between reliever Sergio Romo and coach Shawon Dunston, the Giants players are refusing to talk to any journalists if Baggarly is present. Ordinarily, we’d love to tell you all about the bench-clearing altercation with the Dodgers in Tuesday night’s game, but we just can’t afford to lose touch with Guillermo Quiroz again.

Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.

Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson grabbed his second vulture save in three days as the Pirates continue their torrid run. Pittsburgh has won 16 of their last 19 games.

Hierarchy remains: Melancon | Watson | Holdzkom.

Texas Rangers — We told you Neal Cotts was likely to get Tuesday’s save. And then he went ahead and did it. You’re welcome, Internet.

Hierarchy remains: Feliz | Cotts | Mendez.

Los Angeles Angels — Joe Smith struggled on Tuesday night, but managed to tally his MLB-leading 66th scoreless appearance.

Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Jepsen.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brian Wilson, Los Angeles Dodgers — We didn’t go 3-for-3 in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch because LA turned to Kenley Jansen for a third straight day for only the third time all year. Don’t expect to see him Wednesday.
2. Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds — Aroldis Chapman needed 24 pitches to get the save last night, and he’s been used on three of four days.
3. Kevin Jepsen, Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street and Joe Smith have each been used in three of four.
4. Zach Putnam, Chicago White Sox — Jake Petricka had a rough outing on Tuesday, and has pitched in two straight games.
5. Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals — Drew Storen threw 25 pitches on Tuesday. With their closest divisional challenger 5 games below .500 and NL homefield advantage nearly sewn up, the Nats might not work Storen or Tyler Clippard as hard over their final few games.