Friday’s full slate resulted in four wins by relievers and nine saves while suffering four losses. There were a couple of surprises during leverage events and a career-first save. Here is our condensed chart:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Robert Suarez | 18 | 19 | 68.4 | 10.5 | 3:0 |
| Kyle Finnegan | 16 | 22 | 63.6 | 13.6 | 0:0 |
| Emilio Pagán | 14 | 8 | 75 | 12.5 | 1:0 |
| Edwin Díaz | 12 | 14 | 71.4 | 21.4 | 3:0 |
| Félix Bautista | 8 | 29 | 62.1 | 17.2 | 2:1 |
| Will Vest | 8 | 23 | 69.6 | 8.7 | 1:0 |
| Camilo Doval | 6 | 18 | 61.1 | 11.1 | 2:1 |
| Alex Vesia | 2 | 11 | 63.6 | 9.1 | 0:0 |
| Caleb Boushley | 1 | 37 | 67.6 | 16.2 | 4:0 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 31
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL): Bautista threw 29 pitches during his save on Friday night.
- Jorge López (WSH): Finnegan has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Justin Slaten (BOS): Chapman has pitched in three of the previous four days.
- Collin Snider (SEA): Muñoz, Vargas, and Brash have all appeared in consecutive contests.
Vulture Save Stash for June 1
- Griffin Jax (MIN): If Durán pitches today, it’s consecutive outings for the closer.
- Adrian Morejon (SD): If Suarez, Adam, and Estrada pitch today, it will be back-to-back games for the Padres leverage triumvirate.
Three Takeaways
(1) “The Mountain” and efficiency: Laboring through the top of the ninth, Félix Bautista could not preserve the shutout but did record his ninth save. After retiring the first hitter via groundout, he allowed Mike Tauchman’s double, recorded a strikeout, then gave up Andrew Benintendi’s RBI double, walked Luis Robert Jr., and produced a game-ending strikeout, preserving a one-run win. Bautista threw a season-high 29 pitches (18 strikes – 62.1 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (17.2 SwStr%), giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two.
He has converted four of five save chances in May despite allowing at least a run in five of his eight appearances. Of his 18 appearances, he has thrown at least 20 pitches in eight and 25 or more pitches in three. Returning from Tommy John surgery, it will be tough logging outings on consecutive days if he’s not more efficient with his pitches.
(2) Vesia in the ninth? Protecting a three-run lead at the top of the ninth, Alex Vesia secured his second save, working around a lead-off single by Trent Grisham by retiring the 2-3-4 hitters in the Yankees’ lineup on two flyouts and a game-ending lineout to third. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
This represents his first save since March 19. Tanner Scott recorded his fifth hold, retiring DJ LeMahieu on a flyout at the bottom of the eighth, stranding runners at the corners.
After his blown save in Cleveland, Dave Roberts may not use his reliever across two innings until he’s entirely back on track. Ben Casparius gets credit for his seventh hold, tossing a scoreless combined inning, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
(3) Doval converts his first save as the closer: During his first save chance as the closer, Camilo Doval took over at the bottom of the eighth with two runners and two outs. He stranded both with an inning-ending flyout, then returned for the ninth, issuing a two-out walk, throwing a wild pitch, and producing a game-ending strikeout for his sixth save. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
He extended his scoreless streak to 20 games, during which he has 20 strikeouts against six walks (23. K-BB%) across 19.1 innings.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox – Sealing a four-run win over Atlanta, Aroldis Chapman retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (643. Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
Through 11.2 innings this month, he has a 1-1 record while converting four of five save chances with 14 strikeouts versus four walks (21.3 K-BB%) and a 1.026 WHIP.
- Greg Weissert worked a clean eighth, securing his eighth hold.
- Brennan Bernardino stranded two runners and retired Matt Olson in the seventh for his first hold.
- Garrett Whitlock collected his fourth win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Justin Wilson
Cincinnati Reds – Pressed into action with two runners in scoring position and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Emilio Pagán recorded a strikeout and induced a game-ending groundout by Nico Hoerner, preserving the four-run margin while securing his 14th save. He threw eight pitches (75 Strike%) and produced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%).
This snapped his two-game streak of allowing at least a run, and he has converted his last six save opportunities, but he has given up a run in five of 11 games in May with a 1.416 WHP across 11.1 innings.
- Graham Ashcraft gets credit for his eighth hold. He stranded two runners at the bottom of the eighth, then allowed consecutive doubles in the ninth, prompting his removal, finishing with a scoreless combined inning.
- Tony Santillan gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while retiring one batter in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Detroit Tigers – Handed a three-run lead, Will Vest recorded his eighth save despite allowing two hits, including Drew Waters’ RBI single, before inducing a game-ending groundout. Vest threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (8.7 SwStr%).
This marks his second consecutive game allowing a run, but he has posted three wins while converting five of six save chances in May with a 1.143 WHIP and 15 strikeouts versus four walks (19 K-BB%) across 14 innings.
- Tommy Kahnle notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts in the eighth.
- Beau Brieske worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his fifth hold.
- Brenan Hanifee gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk in the sixth, getting credit for his eighth hold.
- Brant Hurter stranded two runners at the bottom of the fourth and logged 1.2 scoreless frames, walking and striking out two while collecting his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Vest)
Los Angeles Angels – After his team added a run at the top of the ninth, Kenley Jansen could not complete the combined shutout in a non-save appearance. He issued Carlos Santana a lead-off walk, recorded two outs, issued another walk, and gave up Nolan Jones’ RBI single before inducing a game-ending flyout by Steven Kwan. Jansen threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He has converted five saves since May 3 but has posted a 1.379 WHIP in his last 8.2 innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn recorded his ninth hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Reid Detmers retired all three batters in the eighth, two via strikeout for his third hold. He’s on a modest five-game scoreless streak.
- Robert Stephenson was removed after throwing three pitches.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Ryan Zeferjahn | Reid Detmers
Minnesota Twins – Preserving the tie, Jhoan Durán retired the side at the bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout versus Seattle’s 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He collected his fourth win when his teammates plated six runs at the top of the tenth. Durán threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
Through 14 games in May, he has a 4-1 record while converting seven of eight save chances with a 1.214 WHIP and 19 strikeouts against five walks (23.7 K-BB%) across 14 innings.
- Brock Stewart tossed a clean tenth, preserving a six-run victory.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
New York Mets – Locking down his 12th save, Edwin Díaz fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side against Colorado’s 6-7-8 lineup pocket, preserving a two-run win. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
This extends his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he has recorded a win and converted five saves with 13 strikeouts against four walks (25 K-BB%) over 10.1 innings. He has not allowed a hit since May 5 (8.1 innings).
- Reed Garrett notched his 12th hold, working a clean eighth and striking out two.
- Huascar Brazobán stranded two runners at the top of the sixth and gave up Sam Hilliard’s solo home run in the seventh, securing his seventh save during his 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Ryne Stanek
San Diego Padres – Forced into action at the top of the eighth with the bases loaded and two outs, Robert Suarez retired Henry Davis via strikeout. Returning for the ninth, he recorded two more strikeouts while retiring the side and preserving his MLB-leading 18th save. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).
After recording seven saves requiring four or more outs last year, this marks his first one this season.
- Jason Adam gets credit for his 14th hold despite allowing a two-out double and issuing two walks before being removed in the eighth.
- Jeremiah Estrada fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
Seattle Mariners – Regression can strike at any time, and came calling for Andrés Muñoz on Friday night. He took over at the top of the ninth with a three-run lead and allowed a lead-off single by Ty France, then recorded consecutive strikeouts. However, with two outs, things turned. Willi Castro launched a two-run home run, followed by Byron Buxton’s single, a stolen base, and a game-tying RBI single by Trevor Larnach, handed Muñoz his third blown save and first earned runs all season. He threw 14 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. As his pitch results indicate, fatigue may have played a role with his command in this appearance:
- Casey Legumina was tagged with his third loss, giving up four hits, six runs (five earned), and two walks during the tenth.
- Before the ninth, Carlos Vargas notched his eighth hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Matt Brash retired his only batter in the seventh via strikeout for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Carlos Vargas | Matt Brash
Washington Nationals – Entering with a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Kyle Finnegan hit lead-off batter Corbin Caroll with a pitch, who promptly stole second and scored after consecutive groundouts before a game-ending flyout, resulting in his 16th save. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%).
He has converted seven of eight save chances in May with a 1.00 WHIP and five strikeouts versus one walk (11.4 K-BB%) in nine innings.
- Brad Lord logged two innings, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out three for his first hold.
- Andrew Chafin notched his third hold, allowing a hit and striking out two in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Jorge López
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Forced into action following an injury, Cade Smith retired both batters at the top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs (25 SwStr%). Andrew Walters allowed Jorge Soler’s solo home run and left after throwing nine pitches.
- Colorado Rockies: Appearing during an eventual loss, Seth Halvorsen allowed two hits, including Francisco Lindor’s solo home run at the bottom of the eighth.
- Miami Marlins: In a shutout loss, Janson Junk logged four scoreless frames, scattering three hits and striking out five on 55 pitches (37 strikes – 67.3 Strike%) with nine whiffs (16.4 SwStr%).
- Milwaukee Brewers: Working as the “bulk follower,” Quinn Priester logged six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while collecting his second win in Philadelphia.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Appearing in a one-run loss, David Bednar retired the side at the bottom of the eighth, facing the Padres’ 9-1-2 lineup pocket on four pitches, all strikes. Tanner Rainey worked a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Garrett Cleavinger recorded consecutive strikeouts, then served up Yainer Diaz’s walk-off home run, resulting in his first loss.
- Texas Rangers: Closing a lopsided contest, Caleb Boushley recorded his first career save, logging three innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out four against St. Louis. Shawn Armstrong stranded a runner while retiring his only batter in the sixth.
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