Two injury updates are included in today’s post, though Andrés Muñoz‘s MRI was not ready before their game started. He reported feeling better after treatment, and the team did not make a roster move.
The Rockies leverage ladder imploded again in the top of the ninth, allowing six runs with two outs. However, the spotlight was on Ryan Helsley, who made history as the first reliever with 20 saves. He and his Cardinals’ triumvirate (JoJo Romero and Andrew Kittredge) have recorded an impressive 56 SOLDS (saves plus holds) this season, surpassing the total of 20 MLB teams.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s 14-game slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Tasked with a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, Craig Kimbrel allowed a lead-off single, committed a throwing error on a pick-off attempt, and allowed a walk-off RBI single resulting in his second loss.
(RP | BOS): Per the team’s account on “X,” Boston placed Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list because of anxiety issues. First and foremost, we hope he finds peace and progress. As a result of this move, the hierarchy has been adjusted:
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
(RP | CWS): With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Michael Kopech suffered his sixth loss, allowing Mike Tauchman to score a walk-off home run.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
(RP | LAA): Preserving a one-run win, and making a terrific play at first base, Matt Moore secured his first save of the season, and since 2022, retiring the side against the Padres.
(RP | OAK): During an extended outing, Mason Miller stranded two runners and recorded two outs in the eighth. He gave up a solo home run in the ninth while finishing a one-run win over Seattle for his 12th save.
(RP | SEA): Although the MRI results did not arrive before Wednesday’s game, Andrés Muñoz reported he was feeling better and the team did not make a preemptive roster move. He may need a few days of rest and told interviewers his back has been bothering him since the second game of the season. For more details, check out this update on MLB.com’s injuries and roster moves page.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
(RP | TBR): Turning in a clean bottom of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks recorded his eighth save and recorded one strikeout while preserving a two-run win in Miami.
(RP | TOR): After firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out two, Yimi García collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
National League
(RP | CHC): Battling his command, Héctor Neris navigated around a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the ninth. He collected his sixth win courtesy of a walk-off home run by Mike Tauchman.
(RP | CIN): After tossing a scoreless bottom of the eighth and allowing a hit, Fernando Cruz benefited from a six-run rally in the top of the ninth, resulting in his third win.
(RP | COL): With a one-run lead and two outs, things went awry for Jalen Beeks. He allowed a go-ahead two-run home run and finished with three hits against, five earend runs, a walk, and a hit-batter during his two-thirds of the ninth. He suffered his third loss, and fourth blown save, while wreaking havoc on fantasy manager’s ratios.
(RP | PHI): Nailing down his 11th save, José Alvarado allowed a one-out hit and recorded three strikeouts, preserving a combined shutout of Milwaukee.
(RP | PIT): During a four-run win, David Bednar tossed a clean top of the ninth against the Dodgers’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (71.4% strikes) and recorded four whiffs (28.6% swings and misses). This extended his streak of not allowing any runs to eight games.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
(RP | SFG): Inheriting a bases-loaded situation and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Sean Hjelle induced an inning-ending groundout by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., quelling the threat. Although Hjelle allowed a solo home run in the fifth, he collected his third win, logging 1.1 innings and striking out one in Arizona.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
(RP | STL): Becoming the first reliever with 20 saves, Ryan Helsley retired the side in the bottom of the ninth against Houston, preserving a two-run win.
Vulture Save Options for Thursday, June 6
- Ryne Stanek (SEA): With Muñoz unavailable, Stanek remains the best candidate for a save chance.
- Mark Leiter Jr. (CHC): Neris has pitched in two straight, leaving Leiter Jr. in line for the save chance against the Reds.
- Victor Vodnik (COL): The Rockies are a different team on the road, but if a save chance arises will they turn to Vodnik? He’s on a five-game scoreless streak.
- Dany Jiménez (OAK): Miller worked 1.2 innings last night, putting the ever-volatile Jiménez in line for a potential vulture save.
Vulture Save Options for Friday, June 7
- Cionel Pérez (BAL): If Kimbrel pitches today, it could provide Pérez with a save chance on Friday.
American League – Full Recaps
Baltimore Orioles – Taking over a tied contest in the bottom of the ninth, Craig Kimbrel allowed Justin Turner’s lead-off single, who was replaced by a pinch-runner. An errant pick-off throw moved Cavan Biggio to second, and he advanced to third on a flyout before a walk-off RBI single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, handing Kimbrel his second loss. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and produced one whiff. This snapped an impressive eight-game scoreless streak during which he did not allow a hit. Yennier Cano fired a clean eighth, striking out two. Danny Coulombe retired the side and struck out one in the seventh. Jacob Webb navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Los Angeles Angels – Recording his first save since 2022, Matt Moore tossed a clean top of the ninth, preserving a one-run win and a sweep of the Padres. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Ben Joyce debuted this season with a scoreless eighth, working around a lead-off single by Fernando Tatis Jr. and a wild pitch. He retired the next three batters for his first hold. He produced four whiffs of his 17 pitches (23.5 SwStr%). Adam Cimber notched his eighth hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
Oakland A’s – Despite allowing a solo home run in the ninth (Julio Rodríguez), Mason Miller secured his 12th save, logging 1.2 innings. He also allowed a walk and recorded one strikeout while throwing 29 pitches (17 strikes – 58.6 Strike%) with only two whiffs. He was forced into the game in the eighth and stranded two runners. Following his torrid start to the season, he’s allowed at least a run in consecutive outings and three of his last five. Vinny Nittoli allowed two hits and recorded a strikeout over one-third of the eighth, getting credit for his first hold. T.J. McFarland stranded the bases loaded in the seventh for his seventh hold. Austin Adams was credited with his 15th hold, giving up a walk and a hit-batter in one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Austin Adams | Scott Alexander
Tampa Bay Rays – Locking down his eighth save, Pete Fairbanks tossed a clean bottom of the ninth and struck out one while preserving a two-run win in Miami. He threw 11 pitches (10 strikes – 90.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s converted a save in his last three outings and allowed one unearned run since May 11 with 12 strikeouts against two walks over 12 innings (0.75 WHIP). Garrett Cleavinger worked around two hits and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless eighth, securing his sixth hold. Jason Adam notched his 11th save with a clean seventh, needing only five pitches. Richard Lovelady collected his second win, retiring the side in the sixth and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – Summoned during a tied contest in the top of the ninth, Yimi García retired the side on ten pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame. He’s only given up three earned runs over his last 19 appearances with 27 strikeouts versus six walks through 20.1 innings. Chad Green fired 1.1 clean innings and stranded a runner in the seventh. Tim Mayza allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: *Yimi García (HLR/PSS) | Chad Green | Nate Pearson
*= García as the (HLR|PSS) will take on the toughest lineup pocket, not be saved for the ninth inning
National League – Full Recaps
Chicago Cubs – With the score tied in the top of the ninth, Héctor Neris turned in a scoreless outing, allowing a walk and striking out two. He collected his sixth win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning. He threw 19 pitches (8 strikes – 42.1 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Despite his lack of command at times, he’s been scoreless over three outings in June with two saves and this win. Mark Leiter Jr. retired his only batter via strikeout, stranding a runner in the eighth. Hayden Wesneski suffered his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Paul DeJong and issuing a walk over his two-thirds of the eighth. Drew Smyly tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding two hits and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Hayden Wesneski
Cincinnati Reds – Capping a six-run rally in the top of the ninth, Brent Suter worked a scoreless bottom of the inning, giving up a double by Brendan Rodgers and striking out one. Fernando Cruz collected his third win, tossing a scoreless eighth and allowing a hit. He owns a nine-game scoreless streak, producing 17 strikeouts against two walks over 9.2 innings. Lucas Sims let both inherited runners score, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh. Justin Wilson gave up two hits and two earned runs with one strikeout in one-third of the seventh. Nick Martinez logged two innings, serving up a solo home run (Elias Díaz) and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Colorado Rockies – Things went off the rails quickly in the ninth for the Rockies, resulting in a loss. Jalen Beeks entered with a one-run lead and hit leadoff batter TJ Friedl with a pitch before recording two outs. But Spencer Steer launched a go-ahead two-run home run followed by consecutive singles and a walk, prompting Beeks’ removal. Angel Chivilli took over, walked in a run, then allowed a Jonathan India grand slam, blowing the game open. In the eighth, Beeks suffered his third loss and his fourth blown save, allowing three hits and five earned runs over two-thirds of an inning. Tyler Kinley was credited with his fourth hold despite giving up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two. Nick Mears recorded his sixth hold. Victor Vodnik logged 1.2 clean frames, striking out two. He’s a reliever worth tracking for save chances soon.
Hierarchy remains: *Jalen Beeks | *Tyler Kinley | Victor Vodnik
Philadelphia Phillies – Taking over the ninth inning against the top of the Brewers’ lineup, José Alvarado navigated around a one-out single by William Contreras with consecutive strikeouts, shutting the door on his 11th save. He recorded all three outs via strikeout, throwing 21 pitches (71.4 Strike%) while generating five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine outings, posting 11 strikeouts against three walks over 8.2 innings. Jeff Hoffman notched his ninth hold, turning a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk, and striking out one. He owns a seven-game scoreless streak with two saves and three holds.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Sticking with the blueprint, the Cardinals completed a two-run win using its high-leverage triumvirate. Ryan Helsley became the first reliever with 20 saves, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out two versus Houston’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (50 SwStr%). He’s recorded a save in his last nine appearances with 10 strikeouts against four walks over nine innings. Andrew Kittredge secured his 17th hold, working a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and striking out one. JoJo Romero tossed a clean seventh, striking out one for his MLB-leading 19th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day was awarded to Yennier Cano‘s slider against Bo Bichette – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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