Closer Monkey’s Leverage Ledger | 6.9.2026

Monday’s eight-game slate featured six reliever wins, six saves, four losses, and five blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form: 

There have been 499 saves this season by 160 different pitchers. 

As for the vulture options during today’s slate, I do not feel great about any of them: 

Vulture Save Options for 6.9.2026

  • Fernando Cruz (NYY): Bednar has appeared in two straight games and logged 1.2 innings last night. Doval has been used in the past, but Cruz was warming in the tenth inning if he was needed on Monday. 
  • Caleb Kilian (SF): Winn has pitched in three consecutive contests. 
  • Gabe Speier (SEA): Muñoz has worked in back-to-back games, and Speier has been used after Ferrer since returning from the injured list. 
  • Abner Uribe (MIL): If Megill remains unavailable, Uribe could pick up the save opportunity tonight. 
  • Jason Adam (SD): Miller has appeared in three of the previous four days; if he gets the night off, it should be Adam filling in. 

Vulture Save Stashes for 6.10.2026

  • Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Duran and Keller pitch today, it will be consecutive contests for both. 
  • Ryne Stanek (STL): If O’Brien is used in tonight’s game, it will be three outings in four days. 
  • Sam Bachman (LAA): If Yates pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back appearances. 

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Milwaukee Brewers

In a contest that featured 29 runs on 34 hits and 441 pitches, Chad Patrick secured his third save, navigating around an intentional walk (Nick Kurtz) with a game-ending strikeout, his second during a scoreless bottom of the 12th. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). He’s been used as a reliever in four games this month, logging 7.2 scoreless frames with a 0.913 WHIP and eight strikeouts against three walks (17.9 K-BB%). Abner Uribe collected his fourth win, working 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two. It’s his second win across his last four outings. Aaron Ashby allowed four hits, including two home runs, four runs (three earned), and three strikeouts during his 1.2 innings. 

For those wondering why Trevor Megill was not used, this note was shared in Todd Rosiak’s game recap for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 

There are no details about where the discomfort was, but he missed time last year with a right flexor strain in his right elbow. For now: 

Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby

However, if Megill’s discomfort lingers and Patrick remains in the mix for leverage innings, the hierarchy will be changing soon, with Uribe returning atop the hierarchy and Patrick entering as the next man up. 

Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday’s slate. 

American League

Cleveland GuardiansTasked with the top of the tenth, Shawn Armstrong suffered his first loss, allowing a hit, two runs (one earned), and two walks.

Cade Smith worked 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three on 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) with five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).

  • Hunter Gaddis was tagged with his second blown save, giving up three hits and an earned run over one-third of the eighth.
  • Tim Herrin tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
  • Colin Holderman worked a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one.

Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Tim Herrin

Houston Astros – Sealing a one-run lead against the Angels at the bottom of the tenth, Bryan Abreu allowed a leadoff single by José Siri, but the “courtesy runner,” Mike Trout, was thrown out trying to score, followed by a strikeout and a game-ending lineout, resulting in his fourth save. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%).

  • Josh Hader fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side against the 9-1-2 hitters on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) with five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%), and collected his first win. He has allowed one baserunner on a walk while recording seven strikeouts (60 K-BB%) through his first three appearances.
  • Bryan King gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
  • Enyel De Los Santos served up a solo home run (Zach Neto) among his two hits and struck out one during the seventh, snapping his seven-game scoreless streak.

Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos

Los Angeles Angels – Entering at the top of the tenth, Sam Aldegheri suffered his first loss on a bunt single, followed by a popout to shallow right field with the infield drawn in, and an error by Logan O’Hoppe let Jose Altuve, the “courtesy runner,” score.

Kirby Yates suffered his second blown save at the top of the ninth. His outing began with Jeremy Peña drawing a walk, a strikeout of Yordan Alvarez, a stolen base, and a game-tying RBI single by Christian Walker, before he retired the next two batters. His final line featured a hit, an earned run, and a walk with one strikeout on 24 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). Through four games in June, he has allowed a run in three, resulting in two losses and a blown save.

  • Sam Bachman notched his 11th hold, walking and striking out one at the top of the eighth. If roster space allows, he’s worth stashing for saves in the future.

Hierarchy Remains: Kirby Yates | Sam Bachman | Chase Silseth

New York Yankees – Taking over with one out at the bottom of the ninth, David Bednar kept the game tied, retiring Rhys Hoskins and Stuart Fairchild via strikeout. Returning for the tenth with a two-run margin, Bednar navigated around a one-out walk to Angel Martínez with a lineout, a strikeout, and a game-ending groundout by Brayan Rocchio, resulting in his second win. He finished with 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three on 27 pitches (17 strikes – 63 Strike%) with four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last six games, posting a 0.75 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks (20 K-BB%) through 6.2 innings.

  • Tim Hill retired all three batters faced, stranding two runners for Camilo Doval, who gave up two hits during one-third of the seventh.
  • Jake Bird allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts in two-thirds of the seventh.
  • Ryan Yarbrough worked two-thirds scoreless while walking one.
  • Paul Blackburn suffered his first blown save, allowing a game-tying home run by Angel Martínez, scoring an inherited runner.

Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval

Seattle Mariners – After issuing Gunnar Henderson a one-out walk, Andrés Muñoz retired Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser via strikeout, securing his tenth save while preserving a three-run lead in Baltimore. He threw 20 pitches (55 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). He suffered his fifth blown save on Sunday, but showed no signs of a carryover in this outing. Through his first 26 appearances, he’s posted a 1.356 WHIP with 37 strikeouts against ten walks (25 K-BB%) across 24.1 innings.

  • Eduard Bazardo allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk during the bottom of the eighth.
  • Matt Brash battled his command, stranding one of two inherited runners despite uncorking a wild pitch, scoring a runner, hitting a batter, and issuing a walk to his first two batters faced before getting a strikeout on an ABS challenge and an inning-ending groundout by Cowser for his sixth hold.
  • Cooper Criswell created the mess, giving up a hit and a walk, resulting in an earned run during his 1.1 innings.

Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Jose A. Ferrer

Tampa Bay Rays – Protecting a two-run lead, Bryan Baker closed out his 17th save, allowing Wilyer Abreu’s one-out single, then striking out Willson Contreras and inducing a game-ending groundout by Mickey Gasper. Baker threw 12 pitches (11 strikes – 91.7 Strike%) and produced one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he’s recorded a 0.875 WHIP with seven strikeouts against three walks (12.9 K-BB%) across eight innings.

  • Garrett Cleavinger worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his eighth hold. Kevin Kelly notched his 13th hold, giving up a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
  • Cam Booser retired three of four batters, yielding a hit and striking out one while securing his first hold.
  • Casey Legumina was awarded his second win as the first reliever, working 1.1 scoreless frames with one strikeout.

Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger

The Athletics – A tough-luck loss for José Suarez. He allowed an unearned run after Christian Yelich, the “courtesy runner,” stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice groundout by Brice Turang at the top of the 12th. Suarez worked two hitless innings and recorded four strikeouts.

  • Scott Barlow allowed three hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out one at the top of the tenth.
  • Hogan Harris stranded two runners in the eighth, issuing Jackson Chourio a walk, then inducing an inning-ending double-play groundout against Turang. Returning for the ninth, William Contreras singled leading off the inning, followed by Jake Bauers’ walk and a game-tying two-RBI double by Andrew Vaughn, resulting in a second blown save. Harris finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three across 1.2 innings, throwing 35 pitches.
  • Mark Leiter Jr. was credited with his fourth hold despite giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one during one-third of the eighth.
  • Justin Sterner gave up a hit and struck out during one-third of the seventh for his 11th hold.
  • Luis Medina was credited with his third hold, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and striking out two across 1.2 innings.

Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Justin Sterner | *Mark Leiter Jr. 

*= closer-by-committee

Quick Hits

  • Boston Red Sox: Appearing in an eventual loss, Tyron Guerrero gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts across 1.1 scoreless innings. He’s been scoreless in his last five outings with a 1.09 WHIP and five strikeouts with no walks (33.3 K-BB%) through 3.2 innings. 
  • Toronto Blue Jays: In an unplanned bulk outing, Simeon Woods Richardson logged four scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three on 48 pitches (30 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) with five whiffs (10.4 SwStr%) during an eventual loss. 

National League

Philadelphia Phillies – Shutting the door on his 16th straight save this season, Jhoan Duran navigated around a one-out double by Andrés Giménez with consecutive groundouts, preserving a three-run lead in Toronto. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). He became the fifth reliever in Phillies history to convert his first 16 saves of the season. He owns a 0.831 WHIP with 33 strikeouts versus five walks (34.6 K-BB%) across 21.2 innings. This outing snapped his streak of five games without a baserunner, but he’s been dominant nonetheless.

  • Brad Keller worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one for his 12th hold in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Brad Keller | Orion Kerkering

San Diego PadresPreserving a four-run margin at the top of the ninth, Mason Miller struck out the side against the Reds’ 9-1-2 hitters. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). In his first 27 appearances, he owns a 0.867 WHIP with 54 strikeouts versus 12 walks (39.3 K-BB%) across 27.2 innings, converting all 18 save chances.

  • Jason Adam secured his 14th hold, issuing a walk and striking out three in a scoreless eighth.
  • Adrian Morejon collected his fifth win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames and striking out one, though he let one of two inherited runners score at the top of the sixth.

Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Jason Adam | Adrian Morejon

San Francisco Giants – Deployed in a third straight game and following a flight from Chicago, Keaton Winn suffered his second loss and a first blown save at the top of the ninth. After retiring James Wood on a groundout, he gave up a double by Luis García Jr., hit a batter, followed by a game-tying two-RBI single by CJ Abrams and a stolen base during a strikeout. With two outs, Daylen Lile produced the go-ahead RBI single. Winn finished with three hits and three earned runs with one strikeout over two-thirds of the inning.

  • Dylan Smith retired Keibert Ruiz on a flyout, ending the inning.

Whether it is hubris or naivety, Tony Vitello has struggled to manage his bullpen in situations like this, and it’s a tough learning curve for a first-year manager, but he set up Winn for failure in my estimation. 

Hierarchy Remains: Keaton Winn | Erik Miller | Caleb Kilian

Washington Nationals – Despite issuing Rafael Devers a leadoff walk, normally a leverage mistake, Gus Varland retired the next two batters, allowed a two-out single by Jung Hoo Lee, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Bryce Eldridge, capping his team’s comeback victory over the Giants for his fifth save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. It was his first save since May 7, which was ten appearances ago, but roles remain fluid in this leverage ladder.

  • Clayton Beeter stranded two runners at the bottom of the seventh, but allowed an infield hit by Lee in the eighth, an RBI double by Eldridge, a hit batter, and consecutive sacrifice bunts scored a second earned run. However, he collected his second win while logging 1.1 innings.
  • Mitchell Parker was charged with his fifth blown save, giving up five hits and an earned run with two strikeouts during his inning of work across the sixth and seventh innings.

Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Gus Varland | *Brad Lord

*= closer-by-committee

Quick Hit

  • Cincinnati Reds: In an eventual loss, Tejay Antone gave up two hits during a scoreless bottom of the seventh. Zach McCambley allowed four hits and three earned runs in the eighth. 

Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well. 

Statistical Credits:

Fangraphs.com

Baseball-Reference.com

BaseballSavant.com

BrooksBaseball.net