Melancon Returns, Vultures aplenty on rain soaked night

May 7, 2022
Arizona Diamondbacks — Mark Melancon was activated from the COVID IL, and watched Merrill Kelly get 26 outs before running into trouble in the 9th. Melancon walked the first batter he saw, but got a groundout to end the game and earn his 5th save. Melancon jumps right back into the closers role, but Ian Kennedy and Joe Mantiply did a fine job in his absence. 

Updated Hierarchy: Melancon | Kennedy | Mantiply.

San Diego Padres — The Vulture Save Watch connected again with Taylor Rogers getting the night off. Robert Suarez got the 8th inning ahead of Steven Wilson, who gave up a single and a walk, but closed the door for his first save. Rogers should be good to go for the rest of the weekend. 

Hierarchy Remains: Rogers | Wilson | Garcia.

Tampa Bay Rays — With Andrew Kittredge getting the night off, Ryan Thompson got the ball in the 8th with a 1 run lead. He gave up 2 runs, but got a chance for redemption after Tampa retook the lead in the top of the 9th. A solo homer later, and he got the hook, leaving the vulture save to Brooks Raley. These were the first runs that Thompson has given up on the year, so it is unlikely to affect Tampa’s late inning plans too much, as if those plans could ever really be predicted. 

Hierarchy Remains: *Kittredge | Thompson | Raley.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Ryan Pressly got a night off after a rough Thursday, which left the save chance to Rafael Montero. He pitched a clean inning for his 3rd save, while lowering his ERA to 0.73. Pressly has not looked like the all-star from last year, but he’s earned a bit of a leash. Montero is putting some pressure on with each scoreless outing though.

Hierarchy Remains: Pressly | Montero | Stanek.

Vulture Save Watch:

1. Jhoan Duran (MIN) — Emilio Pagan threw 28 pitches earning a save last night, and could get the day off.
2. Aaron Bummer (CHW) — Liam Hendriks and Kendall Graveman have both pitched in 2 of 3, and threw 20+ pitches last night.
3. Chris Stratton (PIT) — The Pirates have a double header…
4. Art Warren (CIN) — …against the Reds.
5. Daniel Hudson (LAD) — The Dodgers have a double header…
6. Rowan Wick (CHC) — …against the Cubs
7. Yimi Garcia (TOR) — The Blue Jays have a double header…
8. Trevor Stephan (CLE) — …against the Guardians.

For Sunday:

1. Devin Williams (MIL) — Josh Hader threw 19 pitches yesterday, and another long outing could get him a rest on Sunday.