Four relievers won and four saved in Monday’s eight-game slate. Although not pretty, the Mets’ bullpen finished with a one-run win over Washington, featuring Jake Diekman recording the last two outs. Josh Hader capped a comeback rally by his teammates against the Cardinals, and it was José Alvarado‘s turn in the Phillies “floating closer” concept.
In case you missed them, our tiered rankings entering Week 11 were posted on Monday:
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Our condensed and full recaps cover Monday’s slate’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Taking over in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and two outs, Yennier Cano induced an inning-ending flyout. He returned for the eighth and retired the side, earning his 14th hold. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and produced a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
(RP | DET): Entering a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Beau Brieske took the baton from Tarik Skubal and logged three scoreless frames while collecting his first win. He retired nine of ten batters and recorded four strikeouts on 53 pitches (34 strikes – 64.2 Strike%) with six whiffs (11.3 SwStr%). Since his promotion, he’s been scoreless in five of six outings and worked multiple innings in four.
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.
(RP | HOU): Locking down his ninth save, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while capping his team’s rally in the eighth.
(RP | LAA): Protecting a one-run lead, Carlos Estévez recorded his ninth save, retiring the side against the Padres while striking out one.
(RP | TEX): Despite stranding a runner in the top of the sixth, José Leclerc suffered his fourth loss. He allowed a go-ahead solo home run (Jake Rogers) and struck out three over his 2.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League
(RP | ARI): Benefiting from a walk-off home run, Ryan Thompson collected his third win. He worked 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up two hits and recording one strikeout. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in 12 of his last 13 contests with three wins, three blown saves, and three holds over 15.1 innings while posting 14 strikeouts against one walk.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
(RP | NYM): With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Jake Diekman took over a bases-loaded situation. He allowed a sacrifice fly and recorded a game-ending strikeout, securing his second save while preserving a one-run win.
(RP | PHI): Converting his tenth save of the season, José Alvarado retired the side in the top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout against the Brewers.
(RP | SDP): Over a combined inning, across the seventh and eighth innings, Adrian Morejon suffered his first loss. He allowed a lead-off double by Jo Adell in the eighth, who eventually scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Jeremiah Estrada | Yuki Matsui
(RP | SFG): Entering a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Randy Rodríguez suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, including a pinch-hit walk-off two-run home run by Pavin Smith.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
(RP | STL): Suffering his first loss and second blown save, JoJo Romero allowed three hits, including two home runs and four earned runs, while striking out two over a combined inning of relief.
Vulture Save Options for Tuesday, June 4
- Reed Garrett (NYM): It’s tough labeling him a vulture save option since he’s in the hierarchy, but Diekman and Ottavino have appeared on consecutive days, making Garrett the clear option for a save chance in tonight’s contest.
- Philadelphia: Since it may depend on lineup pockets in the late innings, Gregory Soto would get the save chance against a left-handed hitting one (Christian Yelich). At the same time, Orion Kerkering would match up with a right-handed one (Willy Adames).
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, June 5
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): If Hader pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back games, so Pressly will be in line for the save on Wednesday.
- Luis García (LAA): If the team uses Estévez again today, it will be consecutive outings, providing García with a save opportunity on Wednesday.
American League – Full Recaps
Houston Astros – Handed a three-run lead, Josh Hader faced the 9-1-2 lineup pocket and retired them for his ninth save. He threw 14 pitches (64.3 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s converted nine straight save chances and been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 with 21 strikeouts versus three walks over 13.1 innings. Rafael Montero collected his first win, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth. Seth Martinez tossed a clean seventh, striking out one. Parker Mushinski retired the side and struck out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Los Angeles Angels – Securing his ninth save, Carlos Estévez tossed a clean ninth and recorded one strikeout, preserving a one-run win over the Padres, facing the 6-7-8 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s allowed two runs (one earned) over his last six appearances and converted three saves with a 1.27 WHIP over 6.1 innings. Hunter Strickland collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and stranded two runners in the seventh. He’s turned in a scoreless outing in 18 of his last 20 with a 0.66 WHIP through 19.2 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
National League – Full Recaps
New York Mets – Pressed into action and inheriting a bases-loaded situation, Jake Diekman only let one runner score on a sacrifice fly, then recorded a game-ending strikeout for his second save of the season. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Adam Ottavino received the save chance but allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk over his one-third of the ninth. It started with a lead-off walk, followed by a hit-batter, a flyout, and consecutive singles, knocking him from the game. Drew Smith secured his fourth hold, retiring both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout, and stranded two runners. Adrian Houser logged 2.1 scoreless frames, navigating around two hits and two walks for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | *Adam Ottavino
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Nailing down his tenth save, José Alvarado fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout, preserving a two-run win. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in seven of his last eight with two saves, three holds, and an 8:3 K:BB 7.2 innings. He allowed five earned runs on Opening Day and has only given up four in his 27 games since. Jeff Hoffman notched his eighth hold with a clean eighth, striking out one. He’s allowed one earned run since April 10 (22 games) while posting 27 strikeouts versus four walks through 21.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
St. Louis Cardinals – Taking over in the sixth, Andrew Kittredge stranded all three inherited runners and retired his three batters, one via strikeout for his 16th hold. JoJo Romero stranded a runner in the seventh but struggled after his up-down between innings. In the eighth, he allowed a lead-off, game-tying solo home run by Alex Bregman, a single by Jake Myers, and recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt. After striking out José Abreu, Yainer Díaz roped a go-ahead two-run home run. Left in, a batter reached on an error, ending his night. His final line was three hits against, four runs (three earned), and two strikeouts, resulting in his first loss and second blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Today’s filthy pitch comes from JoJo Romero, whose slider against Yordan Alvarez helped shut down a threat in the seventh inning. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for the reliever in the eighth. You can catch the video of the pitch courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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