Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, Rob Thomson called on his closer with a four-run lead in Washington. Jhoan Durán had not pitched since Sunday, so getting in work made sense. However, while facing his first batter, Paul DeJong, a line drive comebacker when off the closer’s ankle, and after a delay waiting for the bullpen cart, he left the game. The initial X-rays are negative, according to Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia in this post; however, Durán will undergo further evaluation on Saturday.
In the interim, plan on Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and David Robertson to handle save situations until Durán’s cleared to return.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Matt Strahm | Orion Kerkering
Across Friday’s full slate, relievers recorded seven wins and eight saves, while getting tagged with eight losses. There was one one-out save, and seven of the eight saves posted were clean outings. Here they are in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for August 16
- Pierce Johnson (ATL): Raisel Iglesias has pitched in three consecutive contests.
- Seranthony Domínguez (TOR): Jeff Hoffman has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Matt Strahm (PHI): With Jhoan Durán likely unavailable, plus Orion Kerkering and David Robertson having worked in the two previous games, it lines up Strahm for the save chance today.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Friday.
Leverage Ledger
Atlanta Braves – Appearing in a third consecutive game, Raisel Iglesias nailed down his 18th save while preserving a combined shutout in Cleveland, retiring the 2-3-4 lineup pocket in order and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (73.3% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
He has converted all seven save chances while extending his scoreless streak to ten games, during which he’s posted a 0.40 WHIP with nine strikeouts.
- Tyler Kinley notched his 11th hold with a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Daysbel Hernández worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Dylan Lee | Pierce Johnson
Boston Red Sox –Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman retired the Marlins’ 7-8-9 hitters in order and recorded a strikeout. He collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Chapman threw 11 pitches (81.8% strike rate) and induced one whiff, extending his scoreless streak to eight games.
- Garret Whitlock stranded a runner despite giving up a hit during one-third of the eighth.
- Justin Wilson stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Jordan Hicks
Chicago Cubs – Tasked with a tied score at the top of the ninth, Daniel Palencia allowed Jack Suwinski’s go-ahead solo home run, only his third one against all season, resulting in his third loss.
He threw 12 pitches (58.3% strike rate) without a whiff. He has yielded a run in three of his last four appearances.
- Brad Keller retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the eighth.
- Ryan Brasier gave up two hits and an earned run in the seventh.
- Andrew Kittredge fired a clean sixth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Andrew Kittredge
Colorado Rockies – Wrapping up a one-run win over Arizona, Victor Vodnik fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing the door on his fifth save. He threw 12 pitches (58.3% strike rate) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
He has converted three consecutive saves with three scoreless appearances, allowing a hit and striking out five across 3.2 innings.
- Juan Mejia tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two for his eighth hold.
- Jimmy Herget worked two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out four while recording his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Victor Vodnik | Jimmy Herget | Juan Mejia
Kansas City Royals – Securing his 31st save, Carlos Estévez fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side while closing out a two-run lead against the White Sox. He threw 20 pitches (65% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (25 SwStr%).
He induced more whiffs in this outing than his previous four combined.
- Lucas Erceg allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his 19th hold.
- Angel Zerpa fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his 12th hold.
- John Schreiber stranded the bases loaded and retired both batters in the sixth, notching his 15th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber
Los Angeles Dodgers – With a runner on and two outs, Jack Dreyer induced a game-ending flyout against Ryan O’Hearn, preserving a one-run win for his second save.
Alexis Díaz opened the ninth and recorded two strikeouts with a Jackson Merrill single sandwiched in between, but was removed with a runner on and two outs, getting credit for his third hold.
- Blake Treinen stranded two runners, inducing an inning-ending pop-out by Manny Machado, securing his fifth hold at the top of the eighth.
- Alex Vesia ran into trouble hitting the first two batters he faced, recording an out on a sacrifice bunt, walking Fernando Tatis Jr. to load the bases, and giving up an earned run on a sacrifice fly before being lifted. He was credited with his 22nd hold.
- Ben Casparius worked around a two-out double by Merrill during a scoreless seventh for his 12th hold.
It appears Dave Roberts has embraced his postseason match-ups by pockets mode, meaning the hierarchy will be fluid, until it’s not:
Updated Hierarchy: *Alexis Díaz | *Jack Dreyer | *Ben Casparius
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Capping a massive come-from-behind win, Trevor Megill shut the door on his 29th save, retiring the Reds’ top of the lineup in order while recording two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% strike rate) and produced one whiff.
He has converted all five save opportunities in August with a 0.80 WHIP and six strikeouts versus zero walks (33.3 K-BB%) across five innings.
- Jared Koenig notched his 23rd hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out two.
- Abner Uribe racked up his MLB-leading 32nd hold, working a clean seventh and striking out two.
- Aaron Ashby secured his second hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the sixth.
- Nick Mears was awarded his fourth win after a scoreless fifth with one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
New York Yankees – Finishing a one-run win over the Cardinals, David Bednar retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth for his 19th save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in his last five appearances, recording a win and converting two of three save chances with 12 strikeouts versus three walks across 6.1 innings.
- Luke Weaver logged 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two for his 13th hold.
- Camilo Doval gave up a hit, two earned runs, a walk, and a hit batter while striking out two in two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Luke Weaver | Camilo Doval
Pittsburgh Pirates – Even though he will be credited with 1.1 scoreless frames, Dennis Santana had two players get retired at second base. Once at the bottom of the eighth, ending the inning, and the second after Pete Crow-Armstrong’s lead-off single at the bottom of the ninth. He was credited with a stolen base but slid past and was tagged out. Santana retired the next two batters and collected his fourth win as a result. He threw 13 pitches (76.9% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in his last three appearances, posting this win and a save in them.
- Isaac Mattson gets charged with his second blown save, letting his only inherited runner score at the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly. He worked 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding two hits and a walk while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson | Colin Holdmerman
Seattle Mariners – Slamming the door on his 29th save, Andrés Muñoz retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a two-run win over the Mets. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in six of seven outings in August, converting all five save chances with a 1.286 WHIP across seven innings.
- Matt Brash retired both batters, one via strikeout for his 15th hold in the eighth.
- Jackson Kowar allowed three hits, including a three-run home run, and recorded a strikeout in one-third of the eighth.
- Gabe Speier tossed a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Caleb Ferguson collected his third win, firing a clean sixth and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays – Capping his team’s rally at the top of the ninth, Pete Fairbanks navigated around Rafael Devers’ lead-off double with consecutive groundouts and a game-ending flyout, securing his 21st save and his team’s one-run win over the Giants. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in all five appearances in August and recorded a save in his last three while matching his career high for innings, 45.1.
- Edwin Uceta collected his eighth win, giving up a hit during a scoreless bottom of the eighth, keeping the game tied.
- Griffin Jax retired both batters faced in the seventh.
- Garrett Cleavinger racked up three strikeouts in a clean, combined inning of relief.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Griffin Jax
Texas Rangers – Summoned with two runners on and no outs at the bottom of the eighth, Phil Maton walked Vlad Guerrero Jr., recorded a strikeout, walked in a run while facing Daulton Varsho, then gave up Alejandro Kirk’s go-ahead two-RBI single, resulting in his fifth loss and a fourth blown save. Maton finished with a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two.
- Danny Coulombe gave up three hits and three earned runs without recording an out in the eighth.
- Shawn Armstrong tossed two-thirds scoreless in the seventh for his tenth hold.
- Robert Garcia allowed two hits, including Kirk’s two-run home run, while being credited with his 12th hold in one-third of the seventh.
- Cole Winn retired the side in the sixth, securing his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Phil Maton | Danny Coulombe | Shawn Armstrong
The Athletics – In order of appearance, Michael Kelly tossed a scoreless top of the sixth, allowing a walk and striking out two for his sixth hold.
- Justin Sterner worked a clean seventh, securing his tenth hold.
- Elvis Alvarado fired a clean eighth against the Angels’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket. Though the game lined up for a potential save chance for Sean Newcomb, the A’s scored four runs at the bottom of the eighth, removing it.
- Ben Bowden retired the side and recorded two strikeouts instead, preserving a seven-run lead.
Updated Hierarchy: *Sean Newcomb | *Elvis Alvarado | Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Closing out his team’s comeback win, Jeff Hoffman sealed the one-run lead, striking out the side against Texas at the top of the ninth, and was awarded his eighth win as a result. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% strike rate) and generated four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%).
He has allowed one hit and recorded eight strikeouts over his last three appearances since issuing five walks against the Dodgers.
- Louis Varland allowed Marcus Semien’s two-run home run, scoring an inherited runner, yet was awarded his fourth win after tossing one-third of the eighth.
- Mason Fluharty gave up an earned run and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Yariel Rodríguez fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Seranthony Domínguez | Louis Varland
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: After stranding two inherited runners at the top of the fifth, Scott Barlow suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including Christian Yelich’s go-ahead solo home run. He and his teammates could not hold an 8-1 lead after the second inning.
- Miami Marlins: Called upon with the bases loaded and no outs, Calvin Faucher allowed Trevor Story’s walk-off RBI single. Cade Simpson suffered his second loss, hitting a batter, issuing two walks, and allowing an earned run without recording an out at the bottom of the ninth.
- New York Mets: At the top of the sixth, Tyler Rogers gave up two hits and an earned run, getting credit for his 24th hold. Ryan Helsley entered in the seventh, giving up two hits and two earned runs while striking out one, resulting in his fourth loss and an eighth blown save during one-third of the inning. Brooks Raley let his only inherited runner score, yielding three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the seventh, blowing the game open.
- San Diego Padres: As the “bulk follower,” Randy Vásquez suffered his sixth loss, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out four across 3.2 innings. Jeremiah Estrada allowed a solo home run by Teoscar Hernández and issued two walks while striking out two during his 1.1 innings.
- San Francisco Giants: Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, Randy Rodríguez hit lead-off batter, Nick Fortes, with a pitch, followed by Chandler Simpson’s single, and a stolen base, putting runners on second and third. Brandon Lowe was retired on a fielder’s choice groundout, but Yandy Díaz produced the go-ahead RBI with a single. Rodríguez rebounded with consecutive strikeouts, but suffered his fourth loss, allowing two hits and an earned run on 25 pitches (68% strike rate) with four whiffs (16 SwStr%).
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