Sunday’s slate featured eight reliever wins (one accompanied by a blown save), 11 saves, and seven losses, with seven blown saves. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 642 saves this season by 181 different pitchers. This number of pitchers with a save was not reached until August 18 last year.
Here are the vulture options:
Vulture Save Options for 6.29.2026
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Smith has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): Chapman and Slaten have appeared in consecutive contests.
- Will Vest (DET): Jansen logged 1.1 innings and threw 28 pitches on Sunday.
- Trent Thornton (CHC): Webb has pitched in two straight games.
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): He will need a short memory because Bednar logged two innings last night.
Vulture Save Stash for 6.30.2026
- Abner Uribe (MIL): He logged 1.2 innings on Sunday, making him unavailable for today’s game, but if Megill works, it will be consecutive appearances for the closer.
- Jonathan Bowlan (PHI): If Duran, Kerkering, and Alvarado all pitch today, it’s back-to-back games for the Phillies’ triumvirate.
- Dylan Smith (SF): If Kilian pitches today, it will be consecutive contests.
- Alex Vesia (LAD): He’s appeared in two straight games and will be down tonight, leaving him available for Tuesday if Scott gets used again today, marking back-to-back games.
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Taking over with the bases loaded and one out at the bottom of the eighth, Josh Simpson suffered his first blown save, allowing all three runners to score and an earned run on his ledger on two hits and a walk during his two-thirds of an inning. Michael Rucker suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, four earned runs, and two walks while retiring one batter in the eighth. Gabe Speier notched his 11th hold, working around two hits for a scoreless seventh. Eduard Bazardo stranded a runner despite yielding a hit and striking out one in one-third of the sixth, securing his 17th hold.
The two relievers in the eighth are not normally deployed during high-leverage situations, but with the Mariners running a six-man rotation, it leaves the bullpen short. On Saturday, Jose A. Ferrer worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth with his team down one, but it was his second straight appearance, leaving him unavailable for this contest:
Through 85 games, Seattle has produced 35 save opportunities (saves plus blown saves) according two Baseball Reference, slightly ahead of league average (34), but it’s 60 percent success rate sits slightly below (63 percent). Dan Wilson has been criticized for his bullpen usage, highlighted by a Game 7 loss in the American League Championship Series. In the game recap by Ryan Divish for The Seattle Times, this subject was addressed:
It also explored how the team used Bazardo in the sixth, but did not let him return for the seventh, knowing the team did not have Ferrer available. This may only be a loss in June, but it dropped the team from first place and games like this matter down the stretch where every win matters, and with half of the season in the rearview mirror, mapping out the late innings must be a focal point for every manager, not just Wilson. Could Rucker have been the better option in the sixth, it’s all speculation. However, leaving the eighth for two relievers who opened the season at Triple-A was less than optimal.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Boston Red Sox –Benefiting from a walkoff rally at the bottom of the tenth, Justin Slaten collected his first win even though he allowed a hit and two unearned runs while striking out one during the top of the tenth. He induced a potential double-play lineout, but Wilyer Abreu could not control it, letting a runner move to third, which contributed to Slaten’s outing.
Aroldis Chapman suffered a tough luck blown save (his second), allowing a hit by José Caballero, who stole second and was relaying pitches, and on a sacrifice fly, Abreu airmailed a throw, allowing a runner to reach third that eventually scored on a fielder’s choice grounder. Chapman threw 23 pitches (14 strikes – 60.9 Strike%) and produced one whiff while recording two strikeouts, tying Hoyt Wilhelm for the most by a reliever in history.
- Tyron Guerrero stranded a runner and retired both batters in the eighth for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Surviving another traffic-infused appearance and some shaky defense, Cade Smith converted his MLB-leading 26th save. With one out, Cole Young and Colt Emerson singled, but Smith recorded a strikeout of Dominic Canzone, then Victor Robles reached on a throwing error by Travis Bazzana, scoring an unearned run, followed by a game-ending groundout by J.P. Crawford, securing the one-run margin. He finished with two hits, an unearned run, and a strikeout while throwing 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Matt Festa collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, despite allowing two hits and a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Detroit Tigers – After retiring the side at the top of the ninth, Kenley Jansen returned for the tenth against the Astros. Things went haywire in short order. He walked Yordan Alvarez leading off the inning, Isaac Paredes produced an RBI single, and Christian Walker launched a go-ahead, three-run home run, followed by a Cam Smith groundout and his removal. Jansen gets tagged with his fourth loss, giving up two hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out one across 1.1 innings.
- Kyle Finnegan suffered his fifth blown save, allowing two hits, including a game-tying solo shot by Paredes, and a walk while striking out three during his 1.1 innings.
- Tyler Holton was credited with his eighth hold through his 1.2 innings, but served up a two-run home run by Raynel Delgado, putting two unearned runs on his ledger.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Will Vest | Kyle Finnegan
Houston Astros – Despite giving up two runs (one earned) at the bottom of the tenth, Enyel De Los Santos closed out a win at the bottom of the tenth. He’s allowed at least a run in four consecutive appearances.
Josh Hader battled his command, issuing three walks and recording two strikeouts during a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He collected his second win courtesy of a four-run outburst at the top of the tenth. He threw 29 pitches (16 strikes – 55.2 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (10.3 SwStr%) while logging his highest pitch count this season.
- Bryan King gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Steven Okert stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the seventh.
- Bryan Abreu allowed a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Preventing a sweep and displaying resilience after being hit on the heel with a comebacker, Alex Lange nailed down his seventh save, retiring the side at the bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and did not produce a whiff against the White Sox 8-9-1 batters. The good news is that he’s converted all seven save chances in June, but he owns a 1.677 WHIP through 11.1 innings across 12 games.
- Matt Strahm worked a clean eighth, securing his tenth hold.
- Lucas Erceg issued a walk during a scoreless seventh for his third hold.
- Beck Way allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless sixth for his first hold.
- Steven Cruz collected his second win, retiring the side and striking out one in the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | Lucas Erceg
Los Angeles Angels – Forced into action with two runners on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Samy Natera Jr. induced an inning-ending flyout against Nick Kurtz, then returned for the ninth and worked around Lawrence Butler’s leadoff single with two strikeouts sandwiched around a flyout, recording his first career save. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). It only took eight appearances in the majors for his first save, and he’s been scoreless in seven, posting a 0.965 WHIP but has issued six walks (16.2 BB%).
- Ryan Zeferjahn allowed two walks and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds of the eighth for his sixth hold.
- José Fermin fired two clean frames while striking out one for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Kirby Yates | *Sam Bachman | *Ryan Zeferjahn
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Locking down his eighth save, Yoendrys Gómez preserved a one-run lead with a clean top of the ninth against the Rockies, stranding an inherited runner. He threw an efficient four pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff while inducing a lineout and two flyouts versus the 9-1-2 hitters. It’s his fifth save in June, and he’s been scoreless over his last six outings.
- Anthony Banda navigated around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts, recording two outs in the eighth. He also faced one batter in the ninth, hitting Braxton Fulford with a pitch. He was credited with his tenth hold.
- Andrew Morris collected his fourth win, tossing 1.1 clean frames and recording two strikeouts.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Anthony Banda
Texas Rangers – For a second straight game, Tyler Alexander received the ninth inning and converted his fourth save of the season, retiring Toronto’s 5-6-7 pocket in order, throwing 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with two whiffs while recording one strikeout. He’s been scoreless over his last six outings, securing two of three save opportunities.
- Cole Winn suffered his first blown save, giving up a game-tying two-run home run by Nathan Lukes, but also garnered his third win, courtesy of a rally at the top of the ninth.
This was workload management for Jacob Latz and Jakob Junis. As for Alexander:
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Peyton Gray
Toronto Blue Jays – After retiring his first two batters via strikeout, Louis Varland allowed Josh Jung’s double, and his pinch-runner (Jarred Kelenic) scored from second base on a wild pitch that deflected off the umpire, resulting in his third loss. It’s only his fifth earned run allowed all season, but four have occurred in his last nine appearances. He finished with three strikeouts, throwing 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Deployed during an eventual one-run loss, Seranthony Domínguez appeared for the first time during the sixth inning this season. He allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts against the Royals’ 8-9-1-2 batters, throwing 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) with six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
- New York Yankees: Presented a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Fernando Cruz allowed three hits, including a walk-off RBI by Jarren Duran, resulting in his third loss and second blown save. David Bednar faced the minimum over two scoreless frames despite allowing a hit courtesy of a double play groundout. He tossed 33 pitches (19 strikes – 57.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (12.1 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout in his outing.
National League
Chicago Cubs – Summoned with the bases loaded and no outs at the bottom of the tenth, Jordan Wicks let one inherited runner score on a walk to Garrett Mitchell, then bore down, inducing a shallow flyout by Jake Bauers, and a game-ending double play groundout by Gary Sánchez, securing his first save of the season, second of his career. He threw 11 pitches (45.5 Strike%) and produced one whiff. Ethan Roberts made the mess, giving up two hits, two runs (one earned), and a walk without recording an out at the bottom of the tenth.
- Jacob Webb collected his third win, working around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts for a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Caleb Thielbar | *Trent Thornton
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Riding a six-game scoreless streak into an ancillary save situation, Edgardo Henriquez worked around a one-out walk by inducing a game-ending double play groundout against Fernando Tatis Jr. for his first save of the season, third of his career. He threw 11 pitches (45.5 Strike%) without a whiff.
Tanner Scott was pressed into action with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the seventh, recording an inning-ending strikeout against Jackson Merrill. He encountered some traffic in the eighth, allowing a leadoff double by Manny Machado, then hit Ty France with a pitch, before bearing down with a strikeout, followed by an inning-ending double play, resulting in his sixth hold, working 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Will Klein navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts while recording three outs between the sixth and seventh innings for his 11th hold.
- Alex Vesia gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, getting credit for his 13th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Will Klein
Milwaukee Brewers – Suffering his third loss, Joel Kuhnel allowed two walks and hit a batter, scoring the “courtesy runner,” then gave up a two-RBI single by Seiya Suzuki at the top of the tenth.
- Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out three on 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7 Strike%) with four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
- Abner Uribe turned in his longest outing of the season, retiring all five batters, one via strikeout.
- Aaron Ashby was tagged with his fourth blown save, giving up a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out one, retiring two batters between the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies – Although he issued a Brett Baty a two-out walk, Jhoan Duran secured his 21st save, inducing a game-ending lineout by Luis Torrens, sealing a one-run win, the team’s 18th this season (.750 winning percentage). He threw 20 pitches (45 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. He was not crisp in this outing, but he extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he’s converted all six save opportunities.
- Orion Kerkering worked around three walks and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless eighth, notching his seventh hold.
- José Alvarado worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two for his ninth hold.
- Kyle Backhus stranded one of two runners, yielding a hit and recording two outs, collecting his first win.
- Chase Shugart suffered his first blown save, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | José Alvarado
San Francisco Giants – Although he was greeted by Matt Olson’s double, Caleb Kilian worked around two hits and an earned run, recording a game-ending strikeout for his sixth save. His outing was extended when Casey Schmitt could not field a groundball, scored a hit, and flashed some resilience in this outing. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Caleb Kilian | Dylan Smith | Erik Miller
Washington Nationals – Sealing a two-run lead while turning in two scoreless frames, PJ Poulin recorded his third save of the season, his first since May 15. He allowed one baserunner on a walk while throwing 25 pitches (52 Strike%) with one whiff. The turnstile keeps churning during high-leverage events for the Nationals.
- Richard Lovelady stranded a runner and retired his only batter (Adley Rutschman) in the seventh for his ninth hold.
- Mitchell Parker was credited with his seventh hold despite giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two across 1.2 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Justin Lawrence | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Seth Halvorsen allowed three hits, including a go-ahead solo shot by Ryan Kreidler, and recorded two outs, resulting in his first loss.
- New York Mets: Working as the “bulk follower,” Kodei Senga suffered his seventh loss, giving up four hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Kyle Schwarber, and a walk while striking out four.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Finishing off a five-run lead, Dennis Santana navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless top of the ninth. Carmen Mlodzinski recorded his first hold, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out one across two scoreless frames while facing the Reds.
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Statistical Credits: