Sunday’s slate featured seven reliever wins, including three in games decided by ninth-inning rallies (Arizona, Kansas City, New York Yankees). Two wins were recorded by relievers of interest in dynasty formats, Justin Martinez and Will Klein. Command remains an issue for each, but their upside lies in velocity and swinging strikes. Keep tabs on their progress. Speaking of keeper leagues, the Angels promoted Ben Joyce. He’s struggled with consistency in the majors but his last five outings yield a 15:2 K:BB with a 0.86 WHIP over seven innings.
Ten saves were recorded, including one by Yimi García of the Blue Jays. He may be more cemented in the primary save share this time compared with the beginning of the season. A match-up-based approach by the Mets was going well until another meltdown in the ninth occurred.
Our condensed and full recaps provide insight into 20 teams from yesterday’s slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Entering in the seventh, Dillon Tate suffered his first loss and first blown save, allowing four hits and two earned runs during his 1.1 innings against the Rays.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
(RP | BOS): In the top of the tenth, Cam Booser suffered his second loss, allowing four hits and four runs (three earned) against the Tigers.
(RP | DET): Taking over in the ninth, Andrew Chafin logged 1.1 scoreless innings, working around two walks and struck out while collecting his third win.
(RP | HOU): Taking over a tied game in the eighth, Ryan Pressly suffered his third loss. He issued a lead-off walk, a leverage mortal sin, and a one-out RBI double by Jose Miranda, ceding the lead. After this outing, he owns a 1.61 WHIP through 22.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
(RP | KCR): After retiring the side in order and striking out one, Will Klein collected his first major-league win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the ninth.
(RP | MIN): Locking down his tenth save, Jhoan Durán retired the side and recorded a strikeout in Houston.
(RP | NYY): Handed a two-run lead after a furious four-run rally in the top of the ninth, Clay Holmes locked down his 17th save with a clean appearance.
(RP | OAK): With the game tied in the seventh, Austin Adams allowed two hits, including a bloop RBI double by Sean Murphy, resulting in an earned run and a loss. He finished with two hits against, one earned run, and two walks while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Austin Adams | Scott Alexander
(RP | TBR): Preserving a one-run win, Pete Fairbanks notched his sixth save during a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit.
(RP | TOR): The good news is that Yimi García held on for his third save. He allowed two hits, including a two-out RBI single by Rowdy Tellez, and recorded all three outs via strikeout.
National League
(RP | ATL): Securing his 15th save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over the A’s.
(RP | ARI): To cap a come-from-behind win, Paul Sewald pitched a clean ninth and struck out one for his fifth save.
(RP | CIN): Save number 12 for Alexis Díaz. He worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth against the Cubs.
(RP | MIL): Fortune fell upon Enoli Paredes during his first major league save. He recorded his first out on a caught stealing and navigated around a ground-rule double with an inning-ending double play on a flyout with a runner thrown out at home. He finished with two scoreless frames while finishing a three-run win.
(RP | NYM): Matched up with the 9-1-2 lineup pocket of Arizona, Jake Diekman could not preserve the one-run lead. He gave up a pinch-hit double and a go-ahead two-run home run before recording an out, resulting in his second loss and second blown save.
(RP | PHI): Gregory Soto took over in the top of the tenth and suffered his third loss, allowing a go-ahead single by Nolan Gorman among his two hits.
(RP | SDP): Handed a two-run lead in the ninth, Yuki Matsui could not close out the win. He allowed a lead-off single, issued a walk, then gave up a two-RBI triple by Nelson Velázquez and a walk-off sacrifice fly. This resulted in his first loss and third blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
(RP | SFG): Things went sideways fast for Camilo Doval in the top of the ninth against the Yankees. With a two-run lead, he allowed a lead-off single, a one-out triple, and a go-ahead home run by Juan Soto. Doval finished with four hits against and four earned runs while walking two over two-thirds innings, resulting in his first loss and his second blown save.
(RP | STL): Summoned in the bottom of the tenth, Ryan Helsley preserved the one-run win with a clean outing, recording two strikeouts while stranding the “place” runner for his MLB-leading 19th save.
(RP | WSH): Wrapping up a three-run win over the Guardians, Kyle Finnegan notched his 16th save, allowing a hit during a scoreless ninth.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, June 3
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI): Sewald has pitched on consecutive days, and Ryan Thompson is better suited as a set-up reliever, so Ginkel could get the save chance tonight based on recent outings. However, there’s no guarantee.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, June 4
- Lucas Sims (CIN): If Alexis Díaz pitches tonight, it will be three outings in the last four days, putting Sims on the radar for the save opportunity on Tuesday.
American League – Full Recaps
Boston Red Sox – Things turned in the top of the tenth for the Red Sox, resulting in a rough outing for Cam Booser. He was tagged with his second loss, allowing four hits and four runs (three earned). Kenley Jansen tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out one on 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with one whiff. Greg Weissert turned in a clean eighth, striking out one. Justin Slaten suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score on a Wenceel Pérez double and a fielder’s choice ground out during his two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Detroit Tigers – Not only did Andrew Chafin strand a runner in the bottom of the ninth, he worked a scoreless tenth while collecting his third win. He logged 1.1 innings, issuing two walks and recording two strikeouts. Jason Foley tossed a scoreless combined inning, allowing a hit. Alex Faedo suffered his third blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Rafael Devers, during his 1.1-inning outing. Tyler Holton retired all seven batters he faced, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
Kansas City Royals – In the top of the ninth, facing the Padres’ 8-9-1 lineup pocket, Will Klein retired the side and recorded a strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) while collecting his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. James McArthur stranded both inherited runners while retiring all three batters faced. Angel Zerpa gave up four hits and two earned runs without recording an out in the eighth. John Schreiber tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Minnesota Twins – Securing his tenth save, Jhoan Durán fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run win in Houston. He faced the 7-8-9 lineup pocket, though Jose Altuve struck out as a pinch-hitter. Durán threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s converted a save in seven straight appearances, posting a 5:2 K:BB while allowing at least a run during three games with a 1.43 WHIP over 6.1 innings. Griffin Jax notched his 11th hold, retiring the side in the eighth. Steven Okert collected his second win, stranding two runners despite giving up a hit during his two-thirds of the seventh. Jorge Alcala logged 1.1 scoreless, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
New York Yankees – Closing out his team’s ninth-inning rally, Clay Holmes retired the side in San Francisco, preserving the two-run win and recording his 17th save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns a modest six-game scoreless streak and has converted four of five save chances with a 1.40 WHIP over 5.2 innings. Michael Tonkin collected his second win, logging two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two. Victor González stranded two runners while retiring his only batter faced via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
Tampa Bay Rays – Capping a comeback rally, Pete Fairbanks recorded his sixth save, navigating around a two-out single by Ryan O’Hearn with a game-ending groundout. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff. He’s been scoreless in 10 out of 11 outings since returning from the injured list, with nine strikeouts against two walks over 10 innings while converting three saves. Garrett Cleavinger escaped with a scoreless eighth despite allowing a hit, a walk, and a hit batter for his fifth hold. Shawn Armstrong garnered his second win, scattering two hits and striking out two in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – Although the Pirates rallied for a run in the top of the ninth, Yimi García recorded his third save. He allowed a lead-off double by Oneil Cruz but rebounded with consecutive strikeouts. However, Rowdy Tellez produced an RBI single before a game-ending strikeout of Ji Hwan Bae. García threw 26 pitches (16 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%). Nate Pearson secured his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Trevor Richards retired the side in the seventh for his fourth hold. Chad Green tossed a scoreless sixth, walking two and striking out two for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Yimi García (HLR/PSS) | Nate Pearson| Chad Green
*= García as the (HLR|PSS) will take on the toughest lineup pocket, not be saved for the ninth inning
National League – Full Recaps
Atlanta Braves – Wrapping up a two-run win, Raisel Iglesias retired the side against the A’s for his 15th save. He threw nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s recorded a save in five consecutive outings and been scoreless in five of his last six. Joe Jiménez secured his 12th hold, issuing a walk and striking out one during a scoreless eighth. Dylan Lee allowed a game-tying home run and a walk while striking out two in the seventh. He collected his second win and was tagged with his first blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Arizona Diamondbacks – Nailing down his fifth save and closing out a rally in the top of the ninth, Paul Sewald retired the side against the Mets and recorded one strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). This extended his modest scoreless streak to seven games, during which he’s converted five saves with seven strikeouts against one walk over 7.1 innings. Justin Martinez fired two clean frames, striking out three on 26 pitches (18 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs. He earned his second win courtesy of his team’s go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
Cincinnati Reds – Shutting the door on his 12th save, Alexis Díaz tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, working around a walk and striking out one. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He’s converted his last five save chances and been scoreless in five of six games with six strikeouts against three walks over 5.2 innings. Nick Martinez tossed two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and striking out two for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Milwaukee Brewers – A career-first save for Enoli Paredes. He took over in the eighth with two runners on, and one was erased on a caught stealing, which proved beneficial when Nicky Lopez hit a ground-rule double. With one out, Paredes induced a flyout, and Tommy Pham was thrown out at home, resulting in an inning-ending double play. Despite hitting a batter in the ninth, the Brewers reliever retired the other three batters, finishing the three-run win. He logged two scoreless frames and allowed the one hit. Kevin Herget earned his first hold, tossing two scoreless innings, issuing two walks, and striking out five.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
New York Mets – The match-up-based approach went well until the ninth inning. Jake Diekman lined up against the 9-1-2 lineup pocket and gave up a lead-off double by Gabriel Moreno, followed by a go-ahead two-run home run by Ketel Marte, before retiring Corbin Carroll. He was tagged with his second loss and a second blown save. Sean Reid-Foley recorded the last two outs in the ninth. Adam Ottavino recorded his tenth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth. Reed Garrett secured his sixth hold, striking out the 3-4-5 hitters on 11 pitches. Danny Young was credited with his first hold, allowing a hit and striking out one over two-thirds scoreless in the sixth. Dedniel Núñez logged 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | *Adam Ottavino
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies -Tasked with the top of the tenth, Gregory Soto suffered his third loss, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead single by Nolan Gorman, scoring the “place” runner. José Alvarado fired a clean ninth, striking out one on nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff. Jeff Hoffman navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth and recorded a strikeout. Orion Kerkering turned in a clean seventh, striking out one. Matt Strahm worked a clean sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Handed a two-run lead in the ninth, Camilo Doval had an untimely meltdown. He allowed a lead-off single, a one-out triple, and a go-ahead two-run home run by Juan Soto. After walking Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton produced a ground-rule double, scoring Judge. Another walk and a wild pitch preceded a strikeout, ending Doval’s outing. His final line was four hits allowed, four earned runs, and two walks while striking out one over two-thirds of the ninth. He suffered his first loss and his second blown save. Taylor Rogers retired Anthony Rizzo, ending the inning. Tyler Rogers tossed a clean eighth, striking out one for his ninth hold. Ryan Walker worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two, earning his tenth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
St. Louis Cardinals – Retaking the major league lead in saves, Ryan Helsley fired a clean bottom of the tenth and recorded two strikeouts for his 19th of the season. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%). This outing snapped a three-game stretch of allowing at least a run. John King collected his second win, retiring the side in the bottom of the ninth. Andrew Kittredge worked around two hits and struck out one in a scoreless eighth. JoJo Romero retired four batters, two via strikeout, and stranded two runners in the bottom of the sixth. Ryan Fernandez gave up two hits and recorded two outs in the sixth. Matthew Liberatore tossed a clean fifth, striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Save number 16 for Kyle Finnegan. He turned in a scoreless ninth in Cleveland, working around a two-out single by Will Brennan with a game-ending flyout. Finnegan threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s allowed one earned run over his last 17 outings while posting a 17:5 K:BB and a 0.64 WHIP, converting 12 of 13 save opportunities. Hunter Harvey notched his 18th hold, retiring the side in the eighth. Robert Garcia secured his eighth hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to this slider by JoJo Romero – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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