Tuesday’s full slate featured five reliever wins, ten saves, and three losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
As for the vulture options during today’s slate:
Vulture Save Options for 5.13.2026
- Camilo Doval (NYY): Bednar has pitched in three of the previous four games.
- Anthony Nunez (BAL): If Judge hits in the eighth, the rookie could pick up another vulture save since Rico Garcia will be matched up against the Yankees’ best hitter.
- Antonio Senzatela (COL): Vodnik pitched during the seventh inning while the Rockies were trailing. Senzatela is rested and could log a multi-inning outing, putting him in line for a vulture win or save.
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Although Tony Vitello’s roles in the bullpen may be vague, only four relievers have recorded a save this season for the Giants. The team leader, Ryan Walker, has three and was demoted to Triple-A after a series of rough appearances. Erik Miller has two and can be activated as soon as Saturday. During last night’s win, Caleb Kilian took over at the bottom of the eighth with a runner on and two outs; he retired Andy Pages on an inning-ending lineout to left field. He returned for a clean ninth, while striking out one versus the Dodgers’ 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) without a whiff across 1.1 scoreless frames for his second save.
He owns a 1.086 WHIP with 19 strikeouts against 12 walks (8.9 K-BB%) through 19.1 innings. Accompanying his current 1.40 ERA is a 3.35 xERA and a 4.37 SIERA. He’s struggled more against right-handed hitters, resulting in a .332 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and a 20.6 percent walk rate while facing them this season. As for his manager, he may not name a closer this season, which was intimated during preseason interviews. The best-case scenario for Kilian is working as a co-closer with Erik Miller when he’s activated this weekend. After that, one may emerge as the preferred option, but it cannot be assumed.
Also from this contest, Sam Hentges allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two during his combined inning of relief. Joel Peguero hit a batter (Pages) and retired two batters during two-thirds of the seventh. Matt Gage notched his fifth hold, striking out Max Muncy and stranding a runner at the bottom of the sixth.
For now:
Adjusted Hierarchy: Caleb Kilian | Keaton Winn | Joel Peguero
Three Takeaways
Seranthony in the eighth? With the score tied at the top of the eighth, it was Seranthony Domínguez working a scoreless inning on 10 pitches (70 Strike%) without a whiff. He collected his third win after his team rallied for the lead at the bottom of the frame. This represents the first time he’s entered during the eighth since March 29. It does not mean he will not be the preferred save option; it’s the highest-leveraged reliever usage pattern by a manager who has played matchups in the past. Capping his team’s rally at the bottom of the eighth, Bryan Hudson retired the side while recording his second save this season, facing Kansas City’s2-3-4 lineup pocket. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 19-game scoreless streak, posting a 1.132 WHIP with 19 strikeouts versus six walks across 17.2 innings. In a strange twist of fate, Hudson has fared better against right-handed hitters this season than lefties, and he retired Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez during his save. Certainly notable, making him a deep-league streamer while he’s running hot.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Bryan Hudson | Grant Taylor
A Pierce-ing usage pattern: One of the most popular pickups this weekend was Pierce Johnson after he recorded his first save on Saturday. In his first appearance since the save, he was getting in work with his team trailing by five. He walked Nasim Nuñez with two outs, resulting in an earned run on José Tena’s RBI double at the top of the ninth. This ended his modest three-game scoreless streak, and he’s allowed at least a run in three of his last five.Tony Santillan let his only inherited runner score while serving up a two-run home run by Brady House. Santillan has allowed four home runs across his last three appearances and six this season among his 16 hits against. This does not mean Graham Ashcraft will be the primary save option with Emilio Pagán sidelined, but he remains our preferred option for the majority of them going forward. Stay tuned.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Graham Ashcraft | *Pierce Johnson | Brock Burke
The Rays’ RP Depth was the difference in Toronto: Presented a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Garrett Cleavinger secured his first save despite letting the “courtesy runner” score on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s sacrifice fly and allowing a walk before inducing a game-ending groundout. Ian Seymour collected his second win, firing 1.1 clean frames and striking out two. Kevin Kelly was charged with his first blown save, letting his only inherited runner score and recording a strikeout during a scoreless combined inning. Cole Sulser struggled, giving up two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk without retiring a batter in the seventh.
As a unit, Tampa Bay leads all teams in reliever Win Probability Added at 3.88, with the next best team (Arizona) trailing by over 1.5 points. The Rays are also first in shut downs with 52 and have the second fewest melt downs (17) this season.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Ian Seymour | Kevin Kelly
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday’s slate.
American League
Cleveland Guardians
Securing his second multi-inning save, and his 12th of the season, Cade Smith retired all four batters, two via strikeout, preserving a one-run lead against the Angels. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and racked up six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
He has whittled his WHIP down to 1.169 while recording 26 strikeouts against four walks (27.5 K-BB%) across 19.2 innings.
- Franco Aleman allowed a solo home run and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his first career hold.
- Erik Sabrowski navigated around two walks with three strikeouts in a scoreless seventh, notching his MLB-leading 15th hold.
- Tim Herrin gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out one over two-thirds of the sixth.
- Hunter Gaddis collected his first win as the first reliever in, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Erik Sabrowski | Colin Holderman
New York Yankees
Closing out a four-run lead in Baltimore, David Bednar retired the side and recorded a strikeout while facing the 7-8-9 lineup pocket. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Through 18 innings, he owns a 1.33 WHIP with 22 strikeouts against five walks (21.3 K-BB%).
- Tim Hill recorded his seventh hold, retiring both batters and stranding two runners during the bottom of the eighth.
- Jake Bird gave up two hits and retired one batter in the eighth.
- Fernando Cruz stranded a runner and logged 1.1 clean frames while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Camilo Doval | Fernando Cruz
Texas Rangers
Forced into action with the bases loaded and no outs at the top of the ninth, Jacob Latz notched his fifth save, trading runs for outs on a fielder’s choice groundout against Lourdes Gurriel Jr., followed by Gabriel Moreno’s sacrifice fly, and a game-ending groundout, preserving an eventual three-run margin. Latz threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He has produced a minuscule 0.415 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus four walks (17.3 K-BB%) through 21.2 innings.
- Gavin Collyer created the chaos, giving up a hit, three earned runs, and three walks without recording an out at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Cole Winn
Toronto Blue Jays
Entering at the top of the tenth, Braydon Fisher gave up an RBI single by Taylor Walls, a walk, and a sacrifice fly, resulting in two runs (one earned) and his first loss of the season. Louis Varland wriggled out of trouble, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one during a scoreless top of the ninth.
- Tyler Rogers worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- Jeff Hoffman yielded a solo home run among his two hits and struck out two at the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: In an eventual loss, Tyler Wells allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one during a scoreless top of the ninth. Andrew Kittredge retired the side in the eighth. Yennier Cano allowed a hit in a scoreless seventh.
- Kansas City Royals: Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Matt Strahm allowed a pinch-hit solo home run by Derek Hill, resulting in his first loss. Daniel Lynch IV yielded a hit and recorded two strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh. Luinder Avila logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
National League
Atlanta Braves
Locking down his seventh save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
Continuing his scoreless streak since the start of the season, he’s turned in 11.2 scoreless frames with a 0.60 WHIP while producing 15 strikeouts versus one walk (34.2 K-BB%).
- Dylan Lee retired the side while securing his sixth hold at the top of the eighth.
- Didier Fuentes collected his second win, logging three scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Robert Suarez | Dylan Lee
Milwaukee Brewers
Shutting the door on his fourth save, Abner Uribe navigated around a one-out walk with a strikeout and a game-ending groundout, finishing a two-run margin against the Padres. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He owns a 1.044 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against five walks (17.8 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings.
- Trevor Megill allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out three for his fifth hold in the eighth.
- Chad Patrick notched his first hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
- Shane Drohan faced two batters, striking out both and stranding a runner in the sixth, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Abner Uribe | Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies
Working into and then out of trouble, Jhoan Duran recorded his sixth save. He navigated around Masataka Yoshida’s one-out single and a stolen base by his pinch runner, followed Trevor Story’s walk with a strikeout and a game-ending groundout to second base. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. It’s his first save since April 11, but he has not been crisp since returning from the injured list.
- José Alvarado stranded a runner while retiring both batters in the eighth, one via strikeout for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | José Alvarado
Pittsburgh Pirates
Although he could not complete the combined shutout, Gregory Soto notched his fourth save. He gave up back-to-back two-out doubles by Jordan Beck and Hunter Goodman before a game-ending groundout by TJ Rumfield. Soto threw 24 pitches (17 strikes – 70.8 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%). First, his illustrator:
And, his results:
This snapped his seven-game scoreless streak, but he’s posted a 0.703 WHIP with 26 strikeouts against seven walks (24.1 K-BB%) through 21.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Gregory Soto | Dennis Santana | Mason Montgomery
St. Louis Cardinals
It was not clean, but Riley O’Brien notched his 12th save while closing out a two-run lead over the A’s. He navigated around Lawrence Butler’s leadoff walk with a double play groundout against Jonah Heim and a game-ending grounder by Jeff McNeil. O’Brien threw 13 pitches (6 strikes – 46.2 Strike%) and did not induce a whiff.
Through five outings in May, he’s converted four of five save opportunities with a 63.9 strike percentage, a 1.499 WHIP, and a 25 K-BB percentage over 4.2 innings.
- George Soriano allowed two hits, including a solo home run by Shea Langeliers, while recording his eighth hold.
- JoJo Romero fired a clean seventh, striking out two for his NL-leading 14th hold. MLB.com noted this as his 13th, but both Baseball Reference and Fangraphs had it as his 14th hold.
- Ryne Stanek allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth, securing his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: In order of appearance in a loss, Seth Halvorsen fired a clean bottom of the sixth and recorded a strikeout. Victor Vodnik gave up three hits, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh. Jaden Hill stranded all three inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending pop-out against Ryan O’Hearn. Jimmy Herget tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- San Diego Padres: As the “bulk follower,” Matt Waldron suffered his second loss, giving up eight hits, six earned runs, and two walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings.
- Washington Nationals: Summoned at the bottom of the fourth, Brad Lord stranded two of three inherited runners, though one scored on a fielding error before an inning-ending double play groundout. He collected his second win, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out three.
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