September 5, 2015
Boston Red Sox — After retiring the first two batters with a five-run lead in the ninth, Jean Machi decided to make things interesting. Single, homer, single, double: suddenly the lead was two and the Sox were stuck calling on lefty Robbie Ross, Jr., who struck out Ryan Howard on three pitches for his first career save. Whether Torey Lovullo sticks with Machi or not, you shouldn’t. The three saves he’ll earn this month (best-case) aren’t worth the eight runs he’ll give up.
Hierarchy remains: Machi | Tazawa | Ogando.
Oakland A’s — With Oakland down one in the ninth, Drew Pomeranz gave up a two-run home run. His struggles make it somewhat more likely that Sean Doolittle will get a chance to reclaim the closer role before the year is up.
Hierarchy remains: *Doolittle | Pomeranz | Venditte.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Junichi Tazawa, Boston Red Sox — We’ve seen enough Jean Machi.
2. Logan Kensing, Seattle Mariners — Tom Wilhelmsen has pitched in three of four (42 pitches), and Carson Smith has also been used a lot.
3. Casey Janssen, Washington Nationals — Jonathan Papelbon pitched two innings last night (27 pitches). Drew Storen has been worked even harder.
4. Edwin Jackson, Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino threw 28 pitches in a five-out appearance on Friday.