June 28, 2023
Seattle Mariners – In a bit of a surprising move, closer Paul Sewald faced the 5-6-7 hitters in the eighth inning, allowing a game-tying solo shot, while Andres Muñoz maintained his 0.00 ERA with a scoreless ninth inning. While Sewald has had a good hold on the closer’s role (this was just his fifth appearance prior to the ninth inning this season, and one of those was his first work in six days), Muñoz has been terrific since his return from the IL and maybe the Mariners are looking to give him more opportunities to close games. We’ll continue to monitor.
Hierarchy remains: Sewald | Muñoz | Topa.
Oakland A’s — Trevor May worked around a pair of walks against the top of the Yankees’ order in the eighth inning to preserve a 2-1 lead. That left the ninth for Sam Moll, who collected his first career save. Lucas Erceg got the ball to May and Moll after throwing 1.2 shutout innings, pushing his scoreless streak to nine games.
Updated hierarchy: *May | Moll | Erceg.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Roansy Contreras pitched the final three innings of a 9-4 win to earn his first MLB save.
Hierarchy remains: Bednar | Moreta | De Los Santos.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Justin Topa (SEA) – Both Paul Sewald and Andres Muñoz have pitched in two straight.
2. Aroldis Chapman (KC) – Scott Barlow threw 30 pitches last night.
3. Sam Hentges (CLE) – Both Emmanuel Clase and Trevor Stephan have pitched in three of four.
4. Brusdar Graterol (LAD) – Same is true of Evan Phillips, though he only threw three pitches last night.
5. Chris Devenski (LAA) – Carlos Estevez has gone in two straight.
Tomorrow
1. Sam Hentges (CLE) – If Clase and Stephan go today, they’ll surely get Thursday off.
2. Jose Alvarado (PHI) – A Wednesday appearance would be two in a row for Craig Kimbrel.
3. Giovanny Gallegos/Drew VerHagen (STL) – If either Jordan Hicks or Gallegos pitches today, that’ll be two straight and three of four.
4. Brusdar Graterol/Caleb Ferguson (LAD) – If Evan Phillips pitches today, that’s two straight and four of five, while a Wednesday appearance for Graterol would be two straight and three of four.
5. The Rogers Twins (SF) – If Camilo Doval or Tyler Rogers take the mound today, that will be two straight.