Sunday’s slate provided seven wins by relievers and ten saves while getting tagged with four losses. There was a career-first save, covered in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Robert Suarez | 21 | 17 | 70.6 | 5.9 | 1:0 |
| Carlos Estévez | 19 | 18 | 66.7 | 11.1 | 1:1 |
| Andrés Muñoz | 18 | 18 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 2:1 |
| Emmanuel Clase | 14 | 12 | 50 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 11 | 3 | 100 | 33.3 | 1:0 |
| Jhoan Durán | 10 | 16 | 68.8 | 12.5 | 1:0 |
| Camilo Doval | 9 | 17 | 70.6 | 5.9 | 2:0 |
| Robert Garcia | 4 | 20 | 75 | 20 | 2:0 |
| Tony Santillan | 2 | 7 | 100 | 42.9 | 1:0 |
| Paul Blackburn | 1 | 71 | 66.2 | 14.1 | 3:1 |
Dodgers hierarchical adjustment
Making his season debut, Michael Kopech finished a four-run win over the Cardinals with a scoreless ninth. He allowed Ryan Vilade’s lead-off single, then retired the 1-2-3 hitters in order, one via strikeout. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
Tanner Scott worked a clean eighth facing the 6-7-8 hitters and matched up with Alec Burleson. Kirby Yates stranded one of two runners, giving up an RBI single by Willson Contreras and retiring Iván Herrera via groundout for his ninth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Michael Kopech | Kirby Yates
*= closer-by-committee using a match-up-based approach.
For the save streamers, though occasionally they are win streams (two yesterday):
Vulture Save Options for June 9
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Clase and Smith have appeared in consecutive contests.
- Anthony Bender (MIA): Faucher and Henriquez have pitched in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for June 10
- Jason Adam (SD): If Suarez pitches tonight, Adam will be in line for Tuesday since he will be unavailable today after working in back-to-back games.
- Edwin Uceta (TB): If Pete Fairbanks pitches on Monday, it will be three of the previous four days and five of seven.
- Matt Brash (SEA): He should get Monday off, and if Muñoz pitches, it will be consecutive appearances.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox – Pressed into action with runners on the corners and two outs, Aroldis Chapman nailed down his 11th save, retiring his only batter faced (Anthony Volpe) on a three-pitch strikeout, all strikes, with one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances, converting three saves while recording seven strikeouts against one walk with a 0.377 WHIP over 5.1 innings.
- Robert Stock created the save chance, allowing a hit, two earned runs, and three walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth.
- Greg Weissert stranded two runners and retired both batters in the eighth, one on a strikeout for his 11th hold.
- Zack Kelly gave up two hits in one-third of the eighth.
- Justin Wilson notched his seventh hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Greg Weissert | Justin Wilson
Cincinnati Reds – Although on the same appearance schedule, it was Tony Santillan entering at the top of the ninth with a two-run lead, not Emilio Pagán. He shut the door on his second save, retiring the side and recording a strikeout on seven pitches, all strikes while producing three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%).
- Taylor Rogers logged two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts, earning his second win.
- Scott Barlow fired a clean sixth and struck out one, keeping the contest tied.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft
Cleveland Guardians – Securing his 14th save, Emmanuel Clase worked around consecutive one-out singles, putting runners on the corners with a flyout and a game-ending groundout. He threw 12 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff.
This extends his scoreless streak to a modest five games, and he has converted ten straight save chances since April 30 with a 0.828 WHIP while recording 19 strikeouts versus two walks (27.4 K-BB%) across 15.2 innings.
- Cade Smith earned his second win, stranding a runner in the seventh and logging 1.2 clean frames while racking up three strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Emmanuel Clase | Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis
Kansas City Royals – Forced into action with the bases loaded and no outs against the White Sox, Carlos Estévez allowed an RBI single by Edgar Quero, benefited from a terrific catch by Bobby Witt Jr. on a line drive, retired Luis Robert Jr. on a groundout, letting a second inherited runner score. With two outs, he issued Josh Rojas a walk before a game-ending strikeout of Tim Elko, recording his 19th save. Estévez finished with a hit and a walk while striking out one on 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
- Trevor Richards made the mess, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and two walks without retiring a batter in the ninth.
- John Schreiber notched his eighth hold with a clean eighth while striking out one.
- Angel Zerpa fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | John Schreiber | Steven Cruz
Miami Marlins – Called upon with a runner on second and one out, Calvin Faucher allowed a stolen base by the pinch runner (José Caballero), followed by a go-ahead sacrifice fly, letting his only inherited runner score. He also gave up Junior Caminero’s single before inducing an inning-ending groundout by Jonathan Aranda. He finished with a hit during two-thirds scoreless.
- Valente Bellozo gets tagged with his third loss and first blown save, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out three across 3.1 innings.
- Cade Gibson worked a clean fourth and recorded a strikeout for his first hold.
- Ronny Henriquez fired a clean third while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender | *Ronny Henriquez
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Sealing a three-run win, Jhoan Durán recorded his tenth save, working around a one-out single by Nathan Lukes with a pop-out and a game-ending groundout. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) while striking out one.
This marks his first save since May 27, and he has posted a 1.02 WHIP with 36 strikeouts against 11 walks (20.4 K-BB%) across 30.1 innings.
- Griffin Jax retired the side in the eighth, securing his 16th hold.
- Cole Sands tossed a clean seventh for his seventh hold.
- Brock Stewart worked a clean sixth and struck out one for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
San Diego Padres – Protecting a 1-0 lead, Robert Suarez worked around Joey Ortiz’s two-out single with an eight-pitch at-bat against Brice Turang that ended in a lineout for his 21st save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff (5.9 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout.
This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he has converted six saves with a 0.538 WHIP and nine strikeouts (28.1 K-BB%) through 9.1 innings.
- Jason Adam notched his 16th hold, working around two hits and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Wandy Peralta stranded two runners and retired his only batter in the seventh for his third hold.
- Sean Reynolds hit a batter and issued a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his second hold.
- Yuki Matsui collected his second win, also stranding two batters while walking one and striking out two during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants – Preserving a one-run lead, Camilo Doval posted his ninth save, working around Ozzie Albies’ one-out single with consecutive strikeouts. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) and induced one whiff (5.9 SwStr%).
Since May 30, he has converted four of five save opportunities with a 1.642 WHIP and 10 strikeouts against five walks (16.6 K-BB%) through 6.2 innings.
- Randy Rodríguez fired a clean eighth facing Atlanta’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket and recorded his eighth hold with two strikeouts. He extended his scoreless streak to 16 games, during which he has a minuscule 0.539 WHIP with 27 strikeouts versus three walks (42.1 K-BB%) across 16.2 innings.
- Ryan Walker worked a clean seventh and struck out for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Camilo Doval | Randy Rodríguez | Tyler Rogers
Seattle Mariners – Locking down his 18th save, Andrés Muñoz navigated around Jorge Soler’s lead-off walk by retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout, preserving his team’s one-run win. He threw 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
This snapped a streak of two blown saves by the talented closer. He owns a 0.86 WHIP with 35 strikeouts against ten walks (24.1 K-BB%) through 26.2 innings.
- Matt Brash secured his sixth hold, retiring the side and recording two strikeouts in the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays – Taking over a tied game at the top of the eighth, Edwin Uceta retired the side and recorded two strikeouts. After his team pushed across the lead run at the bottom of the inning, he returned for the ninth, once again retiring the side, including a game-ending strikeout. He collected his fifth win, throwing 25 pitches (76 Strike%) and generating six whiffs (24 SwStr%) during two clean frames while striking out three.
- Mason Montgomery stranded a runner while retiring his only batter in the seventh.
- Kevin Kelly allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks |Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Texas Rangers – After a hitter reached on an error at the bottom of the eighth, Bruce Bochy called upon Robert Garcia to face James Wood. He rose to the occasion, inducing an inning-ending groundout, then returned for the ninth, working around a one-out double with consecutive strikeouts while recording his fourth save. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%) during his 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Shawn Armstong recorded two outs and one strikeout before his removal for his fifth hold.
- Hoby Milner notched his seventh hold, scattering two hits and striking out one during two scoreless frames.
- Jacob Webb collected his third win, yielding a hit during 1.2 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Garcia | Chris Martin | Shawn Armstrong
The Athletics – Finishing a win in a non-save capacity, Mason Miller retired the side against Baltimore’s 7-8-9 lineup pocket on five pitches (80 Strike%) without a whiff.
He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances, converting both save chances and posting a 0.526 WHIP with five strikeouts versus two walks over 5.2 innings.
- T.J. McFarland notched his seventh hold, stranding a runner and retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Grant Holman allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth for his third hold.
- Sean Newcomb collected his first win, tossing three scoreless frames while giving up three hits and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | T.J. McFarland
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Taking over at the top of the fourth, Tyler Alexander suffered his sixth loss, allowing five hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two over three combined innings. Jordan Leasure let his only inherited runner score, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Detroit Tigers: Completing a combined shutout in a non-save appearance, Will Vest retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Cubs’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He threw 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless through four outings in June while posting a win and two saves. Tommy Kahnle fired a clean eighth, striking out two versus the top of the batting order. Brenan Hanifee worked around two hits for a scoreless seventh.
- Houston Astros: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Steven Okert allowed two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk (intentional – José Ramírez) while striking out two, resulting in his second loss.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Taking over at the top of the seventh, Rob Zastryzny suffered his first loss, allowing Manny Machado’s go-ahead solo home run and recording two strikeouts. Aaron Ashby logged two scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one on 25 pitches (72 Strike%) with three whiffs (12 SwStr%).
- New York Mets: Finishing a lopsided victory, Paul Blackburn recorded his first career save. He threw four innings, giving up seven hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out three on 71 pitches (47 strikes – 66.2 Strike%) with ten whiffs (14.1 SwStr%).
- Philadelphia Phillies: During an eventual one-run loss, Orion Kerkering worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three on 23 pitches (12 strikes – 52.2 Strike%) with four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%).
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Summoned at the top of the eighth with two outs, Braxton Ashcraft kept the game tied, issuing Brandon Marsh a walk and inducing an inning-ending groundout by Rafael Marchán. Returning with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, he allowed Trea Turner’s double with one out, intentionally walked Kyle Schwarber, and produced a game-ending double play groundout against Alec Bohm for his first career win. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff over 1.1 scoreless innings.
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