Wednesday’s slate resulted in five wins by relievers, seven saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There are limited vulture options in today’s slate.
Vulture Save Options for 5.7.2026
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Garcia, Nunez, and Wolfram have all pitched in consecutive contests.
- Cole Sulser (TB): Baker and Seymour have appeared in three of the last four and in four of the last six games.
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Forced into action with one out and the bases loaded at Coors Field, Devin Williams was up to the task. He recorded consecutive strikeouts against Jordan Beck and Kyle Karros, locking down his fifth save while preserving a five-run lead. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
This extends his modest scoreless streak to five games, during which he’s retired seven of 15 batters via strikeout (46.7 K%) without a walk and giving up one hit (0.214 WHIP) across 4.2 innings. His opponents in this stretch have been the Rockies, Angels, and Nationals, which is a contributing factor. However, in these outings, he has thrown 59 pitches (42 strikes – 71.2 Strike%) while producing 16 whiffs (27.1 SwStr%) with a 24 percent swinging strike rate with his four-seam fastball and a 33.3 swinging strike percentage with his change-up. Here are his results using the search tab on Statcast:
Although his hard hit percentage seems elevated against his four-seam fastball, note the two-degree launch angle, indicating most are ground balls. Can he carry this momentum forward? Time will tell, but it’s encouraging.
- Sean Manaea created the save chance, allowing three hits, a hit batter, and an earned run while striking out one during his one-third of the ninth.
- Luke Weaver tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Brooks Raley logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
Wednesday’s slate was slippery. Multiple relievers recorded non-save appearances, two perceived closers were not used in save situations, and there was a rehab outing setback.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Three Takeaways
The song remains the same for Carlos: The good news is that he made his first appearance during a Triple-A game. However, his velocity showed no signs of improvement:
He recorded two outs and issued a walk in this outing, only throwing seven strikes (50 Strike%):
His outing was cut short, as reported by Anne Rogers of MLB.com in her update:
He’s returning to the team for further testing:
Until there is a diagnosis and a return-to-play protocol in place, his timeline for a return remains unknown.
Rays’ reliever roulette: Although the bullpen has been relatively stable this season, Bryan Baker was deployed at the top of the eighth, lineup against Toronto’s hottest hitter, Kazuma Okamoto. Baker notched his first hold, working a clean frame and striking out one on 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) with two whiffs. Through 14.2 innings, he’s converted nine of 11 save chances with a 0.818 WHIP and 16 strikeouts versus three walks (23.2 K-BB%). Ian Seymour faced Toronto’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket at the top of the ninth, and he responded by recording his first career save. He retired the side and recorded one strikeout, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with one whiff. This usage pattern is a reminder that there will be games Kevin Cash plays for the win at all costs, rather than relying on one reliever for the save.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Cole Sulser | Garrett Cleavinger
Perkins in the seventh? Called upon with two runners on and only one out at the bottom of the eighth, Hogan Harris put gasoline on the fire, giving up an RBI single by Brandon Marsh, followed by Bryson Stott’s RBI single, before retiring the next two batters on groundouts. Jack Perkins worked a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts against the 8-9-1 lineup pocket. Returning for the eighth, things went sideways, though his defense contributed. It started with a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, to Kyle Schwarber, then Bryce Harper reached on a fielder’s choice throwing error by Jeff McNeil. After an RBI single and a lineout, Perkins was lifted. He finished with two hits, four runs (two earned), and a walk with two strikeouts over 1.1 innings, resulting in his first loss and blown save. In his previous five appearances, he recorded a game finished in four and a save in three. But there will be games when he’s not called upon for the save opportunity, as yesterday illustrates.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jack Perkins | *Hogan Harris | *Joel Kuhnel
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday’s slate.
American League
Baltimore Orioles
Sealing his team’s three-run lead and recording his second save, Rico Garcia worked around a leadoff walk with a double play groundout by Otto Lopez, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Javier Sanoja. Garcia threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
He’s allowed one hit while facing 57 hitters this season and recorded 19 strikeouts versus six walks (22.8 K-BB%), resulting in a 0.412 WHIP across 17 innings.
- Anthony Nunez notched his fifth hold, stranding a runner during the seventh, and working 1.1 scoreless frames while striking out one.
- Grant Wolfram gave up two hits and an earned run during his two-thirds of the seventh, receiving credit for his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Anthony Nunez
Cleveland Guardians
Shutting the door on his ninth save, Cade Smith worked around Vinnie Pasquantino’s one-out single with three strikeouts, preserving a two-run lead in Kansas City. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%) while facing the 4-5-6-7 batters.
It’s his first save in five days, and he’s been scoreless in nine of his last 10 games, posting a 1.065 WHIP with 13 strikeouts versus one walk (29.3 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings, converting six of seven save opportunities.
- Hunter Gaddis issued a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his third hold.
- Erik Sabrowski secured his MLB-leading 13th hold, walking one and striking out two over 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Matt Festa retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth, notching his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Hunter Gaddis
Seattle Mariners
With its closer unavailable, the Mariners played the matchup game during the late innings. Jose A. Ferrer recorded his second save, retiring Atlanta’s 3-4-5 lineup pocket on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with one whiff, and registering one strikeout. After a slow start, he’s been scoreless in nine of his last ten appearances, posting a 1.147 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks (14.6 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings.
- Eduard Bazardo allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one at the top of the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Cooper Criswell fired a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Jose A. Ferrer
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Preserving the combined shutout, Greg Weissert retired the side against Detroit’s 6-7-8 hitters. Zack Kelly issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth. Tyler Samaniego logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
- Chicago White Sox: Tasked with the bottom of the eighth with his team down by five, Grant Taylor allowed Nolan Schanuel’s leadoff single, induced a groundout, issued a walk, and allowed an unearned run while striking out one. Jordan Hicks tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Detroit Tigers: During a shutout loss, Burch Smith tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, walking and striking out one. Kyle Finnegan navigated around two walks for a scoreless eighth. Brant Hurter stranded all three inherited runners and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Kansas City Royals: Suffering his second loss, Luis Avila allowed two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two across two innings. Otherwise known as a Yahtzee outing during which twos were wild.
- Minnesota Twins: Nuking his ratios, Justin Topa allowed four hits, six earned runs, and two walks while striking out one across two-thirds combined innings.
- Texas Rangers: Closing out a five-run lead in the Bronx, Jacob Latz issued Cody Bellinger a walk with two outs, then induced a game-ending groundout by Jasson Domínguez. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) without a whiff but recorded one strikeout. Latz has been scoreless over his last eight games, scattering two hits and recording six strikeouts against one walk (17.9 K-BB%), resulting in a 0.36 WHIP through 8.1 innings.
National League
Chicago Cubs
Taking over at the top of the tenth with two runners on and no outs, Trent Thornton induced a double play groundout by Spencer Steer, followed by Will Benson’s groundout, stranding both. Thornton collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Hoby Milner suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score in the ninth on a two-RBI sacrifice fly by Elly De La Cruz. Yes, you read that right.
- Corbin Martin was provided the save chance but gave up three hits, resulting in three earned runs without recording an out. The clock has struck midnight.
- Phil Maton fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his second hold.
- Jacob Webb logged 1.2 scoreless frames and stranded two runners in the sixth, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Phil Maton | Ben Brown
Cincinnati Reds
With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Brock Burke recorded an out on Miguel Amaya’s sacrifice bunt, moving the “courtesy runner” to third. After an intentional walk (Alex Bregman), Burke recorded a strikeout of Ian Happ, intentionally walked Nico Hoerner, then issued a walk-off walk to Michael Busch, resulting in his second loss.
Graham Ashcraft could not cap his team’s rally in the ninth, allowing a one-out single by Carson Kelly and a game-tying two-run home run by Pete Crow-Armstrong, suffering his second blown save.
- Tejay Antone fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts in his first MLB appearance since April 7, 2024.
Updated Hierarchy: Tony Santillan | Graham Ashcraft | Connor Phillips
Los Angeles Dodgers
Making his season debut, Brock Stewart finished off a lopsided win with a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two. Tanner Scott retired the side on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) in the eighth.
- In an impromptu bullpen game, Jack Dreyer picked up his second win. He tossed two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one. He replaced Tyler Glasnow, who left with back stiffness after the first inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers
Getting in work during non-save appearances did not go well for either of the high-leverage right-handers for the Brewers. Abner Uribe allowed Nolan Gorman’s leadoff double, resulting in an earned run while closing out an eventual four-run margin against the Cardinals.
Trevor Megill gave up two hits, including Alec Burleson’s RBI single, and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
- Aaron Ashby collected his sixth win, logging two scoreless frames while walking and striking out one. He’s on pace for 61 wins this season.
- DL Hall worked a clean fifth and recorded one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies
It was a white-knuckle ride with Brad Keller at the top of the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single by Jeff McNeil, issued Lawrence Butler a one-out walk, and loaded the bases by walking Nick Kurtz before inducing a game-ending groundout by Jacob Wilson. Keller secured his third save despite giving up a hit and two walks with a strikeout on 22 pitches (50 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Orion Kerkering collected his first win. He stranded two runners, retiring Colby Thomas on a groundout at the top of the eighth.
- José Alvarado gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two during his two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
Pittsburgh Pirates
Completing a combined one-hit shutout, Gregory Soto allowed a one-out walk to Geraldo Perdomo, then bore down, inducing a pop-out by Ketel Marte, and a game-ending groundout by Corbin Carroll, nailing down his second save, first since April third. He threw 15 pitches (8 strikes – 53.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%), recording one strikeout in his outing.
Soto has a modest five-game scoreless streak and has been scoreless in 12 of his last 13 appearances, posting a 0.71 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against five walks (17.4 K-BB%) across 12.2 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gregory Soto | *Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres
While his peers struggled in non-save outings, Mason Miller made his look easy. He closed out a four-run lead by retiring the side and striking out two against the Giants’ top of the order. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%).
Through 17.1 innings, he’s posted a 0.577 WHIP with 34 strikeouts against three walks (50.8 K-BB%).
- Adrian Morejon notched his sixth hold, tossing two scoreless frames while giving up a hit and striking out four.
- As the “bulk follower,” Matt Waldron logged five innings, allowing two hits, an earned run, and striking out seven.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants
In order of appearance, Keaton Winn issued a walk and stranded a runner during his two-thirds of the seventh. But he was charged with an earned run when Matt Gage allowed Ty France’s RBI triple.
Ryan Walker took over at the top of the eighth and struggled with his command. It started with Manny Machado’s leadoff walk, who moved to second on a wild pitch, and a one-out, two-run home run by Xander Bogaerts extended the deficit. Walker finished with two hits, two earned runs, and two walks, throwing only 15 of 29 pitches for strikes (51.7 Strike%) with only one whiff.
Joel Peguero worked a clean ninth, striking out one on eight pitches (75 Strike%) with two whiffs.
He will start leapfrogging relievers for more leverage work in short order.
Updated Hierarchy: *Caleb Kilian | *Keaton Winn | Joel Peguero
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Appearing in a shutout loss, Taylor Clarke fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout. Juan Morillo worked a clean eighth. Kevin Ginkel stranded a runner, retiring both batters in the seventh.
- Washington Nationals: Entering at the top of the sixth, Mitchell Parker logged 2.2 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his third hold. Zak Kent retired the side at the top of the ninth, finishing a 13-run lead against his former team. Kent’s the 23rd pitcher the Nationals have used this season.
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