Sunday’s slate provided five wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save (Andrés Muñoz) and ten saves. Relief pitchers were also tagged with four losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Robert Suarez | 19 | 11 | 63.6 | 9.1 | 2:0 |
| Josh Hader | 15 | 14 | 71.4 | 28.6 | 2:0 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 13 | 10 | 90 | 30 | 2:0 |
| Edwin Díaz | 13 | 17 | 70.6 | 23.5 | 3:0 |
| Trevor Megill | 11 | 20 | 70 | 10 | 1:0 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 9 | 16 | 75 | 18.8 | 1:1 |
| Will Vest | 9 | 9 | 77.8 | 11.1 | 0:0 |
| Camilo Doval | 7 | 21 | 42.9 | 0 | 0:2 |
| Justin Martinez | 4 | 13 | 69.2 | 7.7 | 2:0 |
| Bryan Baker | 1 | 13 | 61.5 | 15.4 | 2:0 |
There were some hierarchical changes. One in Boston, with Justin Slaten being placed on the 15-day injured list, and a slight tweak in Baltimore’s following Bryan Baker‘s ancillary save.
This may be precautionary, but Luke Weaver stopped warming up with a four-run lead in Los Angeles due to a slight hamstring issue, according to a tweet from Erik Boland.
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for June 2
- Tyler Rogers (SF): Doval has recorded four-out saves in two of the previous three days, throwing 39 pitches.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 3
- Jeremiah Estrada (SD): If Suarez pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back games and three in the last four.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): If Chapman pitches, he will have worked in consecutive games and three of the previous four.
- Beau Brieske (DET): If Vest and Kahnle pitch on Monday, they will have appeared in two straight contests.
Three Takeaways
(1) J-Mart records a clean save: Handed a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Justin Martinez recorded his first save since April 27 and fourth this season, retiring the side and striking out two against the Nationals. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff while facing the 7-8-9 lineup pocket.
His velocity has held firm since being recalled, but his command remains a work in progress:
He has been scoreless in his last two and is back in the mix for save chances from now on. Shelby Miller fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold. Cristian Mena collected his first win, logging two scoreless frames and giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *Shelby Miller | Jalen Beeks
*= closer-by-committee
(2) Raisel’s clean without a slider: For a second straight appearance, Raisel Iglesias did not throw a slider. In a loss against Boston, he fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts versus Boston’s 8-9-1 lineup pocket. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
Through 22.1 innings, he has a 1.30 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against four walks (21.1 K-BB%). Over his last two appearances, he has thrown 11 four-seam fastballs, 11 sinkers, and 11 change-ups. But the usage pattern from Sunday’s outing should be a template for future success.
(3) Hader’s shoving: Locking down his 15th save and preserving a 1-0 win, Josh Hader retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Rays’ 3-4-5 batters. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to six games, and he’s registered multiple strikeouts in his last three, recording eight of his last nine outs via strikeout. In these games, he has produced 15 whiffs (28.3 swinging strike percentage) of his 53 pitches.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Baltimore Orioles – Filling in capably at the top of the ninth, Bryan Baker nailed down his first save of the season and first since 2022 by retiring the side while recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
- Andrew Kittredge retired both batters at the top of the eighth on three pitches for his first hold.
- Gregory Soto allowed Mike Tauchman’s solo home run during his two-thirds combined innings, getting credit for his 12th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Félix Bautista | Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Baker
Boston Red Sox – Preserving a two-run win and recording his ninth save, Aroldis Chapman navigated around a one-out walk with a game-ending strikeout. He faced Atlanta’s 5-6-7-8 hitters, throwing 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and producing three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
He owns a 1.00 WHIP with 32 strikeouts against nine walks (23.9 K-BB%) across 24 innings.
- Greg Weissert fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his ninth hold.
- Before this game, Justin Slaten (shoulder fatigue) was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Justin Wilson
Cleveland Guardians – Slamming the door on his 13th save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Angels’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%).
He has converted nine consecutive save chances since April 30 with a 0.709 WHIP and 15 strikeouts versus two walks (26.5 K-BB%) in 13 outings spanning 12.2 innings.
- Matt Festa stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout in the eighth for his second hold.
- Hunter Gaddis gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless combined inning, securing his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Detroit Tigers – Nailing down his ninth save, Will Vest retired the Royals’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket in order, throwing nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
In his last seven appearances, he has recorded a win and five saves with a 0.959 WHIP, striking out five against two walks over 7.1 innings.
- Tommy Kahnle recorded his eighth hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Chase Lee collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames and striking out one.
- Tyler Holton stranded a runner in the fifth and gave up a hit while striking out one during his scoreless combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee with a preferred save share (Vest)
Milwaukee Brewers – Securing his 11th save, Trevor Megill navigated around Brandon Marsh’s lead-off single by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout. He threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10 SwStr%) while facing the 7-8-9-1 hitters in Philadelphia.
Since April 30, he has converted all nine save chances and been scoreless in 11 of 13 appearances with a 1.25 WHIP and 12 strikeouts versus seven walks (9.8 K-BB%) over 12 innings.
- Abner Uribe retired the side at the bottom of the eighth for his National League-leading 15th hold.
- Jared Koenig allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh, notching his eighth hold.
- Nick Mears collected his first win, retiring the side and striking out one in the sixth, ahead of his team’s rally at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
New York Mets – Sealing his 13th save, Edwin Díaz worked around Sam Hilliard’s lead-off single by striking out the next three batters, preserving a two-run win over the Rockies. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%).
His hitless streak since May 10 was snapped, but Díaz extended his scoreless streak to 11, during which he has converted all six save chances with a 0.531 WHIP and 16 strikeouts against four walks (30 K-BB%) through 11.1 innings.
- Reed Garrett notched his 13th hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in a scoreless top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Ryne Stanek
Philadelphia Phillies – In order of appearance, Orion Kerkering suffered his second loss and his fourth blown save at the top of the seventh. He entered with a runner on second and no outs. With one out, he issued a walk, then induced a fielder’s choice groundout by Jackson Chorio before an error on a William Contreras scored the game-tying run, followed by Jake Bauers producing a two-RBI double. Kerkering finished with a hit, two runs (zero earned), and a walk during his outing.
- Matt Strahm worked a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Jordan Romano gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer concept with a preferred save share (Romano)
San Diego Padres – Capping his team’s come-from-behind rally, Robert Suarez locked down his MLB-leading 19th save, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts against the Pirates. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and one whiff.
He has a modest five-game scoreless streak and converted all four saves in it, striking out six of 18 batters faced (33.3 K%) with a 0.566 WHIP.
- Jason Adam notched his 15th hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Adrian Morejon collected his third win, stranding a runner and retiring his only batter in the seventh.
- David Morgan logged 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants – Pressed into action at the top of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Camilo Doval issued a walk on four straight pitches, including a wild pitch, before inducing an inning-ending groundout. Returning for the ninth, he allowed a lead-off single, produced a double play groundout, walked Otto Lopez, and ended the game on an Agustín Ramírez groundout, preserving the two-run margin and securing his seventh save. Doval threw 21 pitches (9 strikes – 42.9 Strike%) without a whiff in this outing.
- Erik Miller gave up two hits and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his seventh hold.
- Tyler Rogers let one of three inherited runners score, giving up a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh for his 12th hold.
- Jordan Hicks allowed an earned run while issuing three walks and recorded a strikeout but was awarded his first hold.
- Ryan Walker stranded two runners and retired both batters, one via strikeout for his third hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Camilo Doval | Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers
Seattle Mariners – After allowing the game-tying run at the top of the ninth, Andrés Muñoz collected his second win while getting tagged with his fourth blown save on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. His outing began with a strikeout, followed by a walk and Ty France’s single. With two runners on, he threw a wild pitch, putting both runners in scoring position ahead of Harrison Bader’s sacrifice fly and an inning-ending strikeout. Muñoz threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (18.5 SwStr%).
Following 24 appearances without an earned run, he has given up at least one during his last two.
- Matt Brash notched his fifth hold, allowing a hit and a hit batter while striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo retired the side in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Carlos Vargas | Matt Brash
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Logging a non-save appearance, Ryan Brasier allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one at the top of the ninth, closing out a four-run win over the Reds. Ryan Pressly fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Caleb Thielbar notched his fifth hold, retiring both batters at the top of the seventh.
- Colorado Rockies: Entering at the bottom of the eighth in an eventual loss, Zach Agnos allowed Juan Soto’s solo home run, ending his modest five-game scoreless streak.
- Minnesota Twins: A tough luck outing for Griffin Jax, entering a tied game at the bottom of the ninth. He allowed an infield single by Julio Rodríguez and recorded a strikeout against Cal Raleigh. During Randy Arozarena’s at-bat, Rodríguez stole second and moved to third on a throwing error, then scored on an RBI single against a drawn-in infield. Jax suffered his third loss as a result.
- New York Yankees: Finishing a four-run win over the Dodgers, Tim Hill retired the side and recorded a strikeout versus the 3-4-5 lineup pocket. Devin Williams recorded his seventh hold, firing a clean eighth and recording two strikeouts on 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (25 SwStr%) facing the 9-1-2 hitters. He has been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances while posting a 0.80 WHIP with 15 strikeouts against two walks across 10 innings.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Called upon with a runner on and two outs, Chase Shugart retired his only batter at the bottom of the sixth, recording his third hold. Tanner Rainey struggled with his command, allowing a hit, four earned runs, and three walks over one-third of the seventh, resulting in his first loss while getting credit for his second hold. Caleb Ferguson let all three inherited runners score, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one for his third blown save.
- Texas Rangers: Closing a seven-run win, Luke Jackson worked around a fielding error with a scoreless top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. Hoby Milner notched his fifth hold, stranding a runner and logging 1.1 clean frames while striking out one. Shawn Armstrong secured his third hold, allowing a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Taking over at the top of the ninth with a four-run lead, Jeff Hoffman retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against two pinch hitters and The Athletics’ seventh hitter. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff. Erik Swanson collected his first win despite allowing a hit and an earned run while striking out one at the top of the eighth. He worked ahead of his team’s six-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
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