Tuesday’s 17-game slate yielded nine wins by relievers, though blown saves accompanied two (Tanner Banks and Cade Smith). Relief pitchers also converted ten saves and suffered only five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for September 17
- Andrew Kittredge (CHC): Brad Keller has worked in back-to-back games.
- Bryan King (HOU): Bryan Abreu has pitched in consecutive contests, throwing 44 pitches.
- Matt Strahm (PHI): Jhoan Duran has been deployed in the two previous days.
- Yariel Rodríguez (TOR): Jeff Hoffman has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Tommy Kahnle (DET): Will Vest has pitched in three of the previous four, logging 63 pitches.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Leverage Ledger
Arizona Diamondbacks – After keeping the game tied at the top of the ninth, retiring the side and striking out one, Andrew Saalfrank earned his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 13 pitches (61.5% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in five of six games this month, but last recorded a save on August 27.
- Ryan Thompson tossed a clean top of the eighth.
- Brandyn Garcia retired his only batter in the seventh.
- John Curtiss logged 1.2 clean frames across the sixth and seventh innings.
For now, though, there is no closer in this bullpen:
Hierarchy Remains: *Andrew Saalfrank | *Jake Woodford | Ryan Thompson
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – (Game 1) – Raisel Iglesias worked around a lead-off walk with a strikeout, a flyout, and a game-ending strikeout of James Wood, preserving the three-run learn while recording his 26th save. He threw 19 pitches (58.9% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%).
Since July 28, he has converted all 15 save opportunities and been scoreless in 21 of 22 appearances, posting a 0.636 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus four walks across 22 innings. It should be noted his velocity was down two ticks in this outing.
- Pierce Johnson allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth, cutting the lead to three.
(Game 2) – Completing a sweep and a combined shutout, Tyler Kinley collected his sixth win, tossing two innings, giving up two hits, and striking out one across the ninth and tenth innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Baltimore Orioles – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Keegan Akin worked around Chase Meidroth’s one-out single with back-to-back strikeotus, closing out his sixth save. He threw 20 pitches (55% strike rate) and generated seven whiffs (35 SwStr%).
Across seven appearances this month, he has converted three saves and two holds while being scoreless in five games with a 1.714 WHIP over seven innings.
- Rico Garcia let his only inherited runner score while serving up a home run (Andrew Benintendi) during his one-third of the eighth, but was credited with his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Keegan Akin | *Rico Garcia | *Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Shutting the door on his third save and reducing his team’s playoff clinching number to one, Brad Keller retired the side while recording two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth against the Pirates’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket. He threw 12 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
After losing his 22-game scoreless streak, he has rebounded with consecutive saves in back-to-back appearances, striking out three of four batters faced.
- Caleb Thielbar notched his 23rd hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Andrew Kittredge fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his 15th hold.
- Drew Pomeranz secured his 13th hold, striking out two in a clean sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Brad Keller *Andrew Kittredge | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Capping his team’s four-run rally at the top of the tenth, Jakob Junis allowed a two-run home run by Spencer Torkelson, putting an earned run on his ledger and recording a strikeout during a non-save outing.
Cade Smith was deployed for a fourth time in six days and was within one out of a save, but gave up Kerry Carpenter’s pinch-hit solo home run, resulting in his sixth blown save.
However, Smith collected his seventh win courtesy of his team’s outburst in the tenth. This snapped his seven-game scoreless streak.
- Tim Herrin stranded a runner while striking out all three batters in the eighth, securing his 12th hold.
- Hunter Gaddis stranded a runner in the seventh, recording two outs, but allowed a hit in the eighth, prompting his removal.
- Erik Sabrowski notched his tenth hold and Matt Festa his 11th between the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Houston Astros – Another white-knuckle ride during a high-leverage event resulted in Bryan Abreu recording his seventh save. He took over at the top of the eighth with a runner on and two outs, allowing a walk and an RBI single by Adolis García, scoring the inherited runner, but he induced an inning-ending popout. During the ninth, he gave up a lead-off single and a two-out single, before a game-ending strikeout, preserving a one-run win over Texas. He threw 32 pitches (68.8% strike rate) and produced six whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
He has converted a save in his last three appearances, but has yielded multiple hits in five of his last seven contests.
- Enyel De Los Santos allowed three hits, four earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Jayden Murray tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Colton Gordon collected his fifth win, logging three innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Abreu | Bryan King | Steven Okert
Miami Marlins – Forced into duty at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Ronny Henriquez induced an inning-ending groundout against Ezequiel Tovar. Returning for the ninth, he gave up Brenton Doyle’s lead-off single, a one-out single by Kyle Karros, and a sacrifice fly. With two outs, Henriquez hit Tyler Freeman with a pitch, then an infield single with a throwing error scored a second run before a game-ending lineout preserved a one-run lead for his seventh save. He threw 21 pitches (61.9% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%), allowing three hits, two runs (one earned), and striking out one.
- Michael Peterson gave up four hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tyler Phillips logged two scoreless frames, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Ronny Henriquez | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Although he allowed a solo home run (Trevor Larnach) at the bottom of the ninth, David Bednar finished off an eventual one-run win over the Twins with a groundout and a game-ending strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
This snapped his modest four-game scoreless streak, but he has converted a save in his last five games.
- Devin Williams fired a clean eighth, striking out two, securing his 13th hold.
- Mark Leiter Jr. collected his sixth win, logging 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and allowing his only inherited runner to score.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Devin Williams | Fernando Cruz
Philadelphia Phillies – Locking down his 31st save, Jhoan Duran retired the side on three groundouts against the Dodgers’ 8-9-1 lineup pocket on 12 pitches (58.3% strike rate) without a whiff.
Through eight appearances in September, he has converted seven of eight save opportunities while posting a 0.50 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (28.5 K-BB%) across eight innings.
- Tanner Banks suffered his third blown save, letting his only inherited runner score, allowing a single and a sacrifice fly during his two-thirds of the eighth. However, he also collected his sixth win following his team’s three-run rally at the top of the ninth.
- David Robertson allowed two hits, including a Shohei Ohtani solo home run, resulting in two earned runs, but was credited with his ninth hold during one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Matt Strahm | David Robertson
St. Louis Cardinals – Nailing down his fifth save, Riley O’Brien retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth, completing a combined shutout against the Reds. He faced the 2-3-4 lineup pocket, throwing nine pitches (77.8% strike rate) and inducing one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
Through six appearances in September, he has been scoreless in four, posting a win while converting three saves with a 1.33 WHIP and six strikeouts versus three walks across six innings.
- JoJo Romero fired a clean eighth, striking out two versus the 8-9-1 hitters, matched up against TJ Friedl, securing his 23rd hold.
Over the last 14 days, O’Brien has recorded three saves to Romero’s one, resulting in their hierarchical spots being flipped.
Updated Hierarchy: *Riley O’Brien | *JoJo Romero | Matt Svanson
*= closer-by-committee
The Athletics – Called upon with a one-run lead and a runner on at the bottom of the eighth, Hogan Harris ended the inning with a pick off of Nick Sogard, then returned for the ninth, working around Cedanne Rafaela’s one-out single with a game-ending double play groundout against Romy Gonzalez for his third save. Harris threw 10 pitches (80% strike rate) without a whiff. This marked his first save since August 23.
- Mitch Spence collected his third win, logging 3.2 innings, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Sean Newcomb | *Hogan Harris | *Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Pressed into action with a runner on and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman allowed an RBI single by Brandon Lowe, scoring the inherited runner, and issued a walk. However, he bore down, striking out Josh Lowe and Jake Mangum, preserving a one-run lead while recording his 31st save. Hoffman threw 19 pitches (68.4% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%).
Once again working with reduced velocity, how he finishes the season will be monitored closely.
- Seranthony Domínguez gets credit for his 20th hold, allowing an earned run and a walk while striking out one during his combined inning.
- Brendon Little gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks, but was credited with his 29th hold.
- Yariel Rodríguez fired a clean bottom of the seventh, striking out one for his 14th hold.
- Eric Lauer collected his ninth win, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding two hits and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Seranthony Domínguez | Yariel Rodríguez
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Entering at the top of the sixth, Greg Weissert let his only inherited runner score, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, his only out recorded. Justin Wilson prevented further damage, stranding both inherited runners, retiring his only batter.
- Colorado Rockies: In a non-save outing, Victor Vodnik worked a scoreless top of the ninth, allowing one baserunner on a hit. He has been scoreless in 12 of his last 13 appearances, but has only secured two saves in September.
- Detroit Tigers: Suffering his fourth loss, Will Vest had things go sideways quickly, allowing a double, a triple, and two more doubles before recording an out. He finished with five hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out one at the top of the tenth against Cleveland. Rafael Montero worked 1.1 clean frames, striking out four.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Tasked with a tied score at the top of the ninth, Blake Treinen suffered his sixth loss, giving up a two-out double, issuing an intentional walk (Bryson Stott), and a go-ahead three-run home run by Rafael Marchán. In seven outings this month, he has allowed five hits, eight runs (six earned), and posted a 1.754 WHIP with four strikeouts against five walks (-3.8 K-BB%) over 5.2 innings.
- New York Mets: As the “bulk follower,” Sean Manaea earned his second win, tossing five innings, giving up four hits and an earned run while striking out four. He threw 71 pitches (73.2% strike rate) and produced eight whiffs (11.3 SwStr%).
- San Francisco Giants: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Walker allowed Corbin Carroll’s lead-off single, walked Gabriel Moreno, recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, followed by a walk-off single by Jordan Lawlar, resulting in his sixth loss. He gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk on 14 pitches (50% strike rate) with one whiff.
- Washington Nationals: (Game 2) – Jose A. Ferrer retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth, keeping the game tied. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) and induced one whiff. Mason Thompson took over at the top of the tenth, allowing three hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk while striking out one, his only out recorded. PJ Poulin issued a walk and let his only inherited runner score on a sacrifice fly.
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