Sunday’s slate featured nine wins, seven saves, nine losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 735 saves this season by 195 different pitchers. On the precipice of the All-Star break and the conclusion of the first half, here are the save trends since 2021 through the end of last season:
Only three more pitchers need a save to match the entire 2021 season in the second half, and it’s clear that the 214 relievers with at least one save will be cleared. How many different pitchers will record one by the end of 2026 will be intriguing to track.
Both trade deadline primers were updated with statistics entering play on July 10:
American League Trade Deadline Primer
National League Trade Deadline Primer
As for Sunday’s slate:
Taking over a tied game with a runner on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Erik Miller struck out Mickey Moniak. Returning for the ninth, he allowed Hunter Goodman’s leadoff single, then retired the next three batters, one via strikeout, earning his second win. He threw 30 pitches (70% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Dylan Smith warmed up in case he was needed, but Tony Vitello remained with his left-handed reliever against the heart of the Rockies’ lineup.
- Keaton Winn issued a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Caleb Kilian was not an option in this contest.
This may be an overreaction, but Kilian not being in the equation on the last day of the first half should not be ignored. It’s tough making rash decisions on the fly, but his recent struggles against the Rockies, combined with allowing at least a run in four of his last six, resulting in nine earned runs over his last 4.2 innings and two blown saves, signal an anticipated change in roles for the second half.
Updated Hierarchy: *Erik Miller | *Dylan Smith | Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Another “Devo” outing, but: Devin Williams suffered his third blown save, with his defense letting him down. After allowing Cedanne Rafaela’s leadoff single, he induced a popout by Wilyer Abreu, followed by a potential game-ending double-play grounder to Francisco Lindor that ended in a fielder’s choice error. Williams proceeded to walk the next two batters, forcing in a run, then a shallow fly ball that Carson Benge could not catch, scoring the game-tying run, and then an inning-ending double-play lineout. He finished with two hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks while throwing 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5% Strike Rate) with one whiff. He finished the first half with blown saves in two of his last three appearances. If he converts this save with the potential double play, it’s a non-issue. However, his hold on the ninth inning seems tenuous when the second half ensues.
Tasked with the top of the tenth, Brooks Raley had the “courtesy runner” score on a sacrifice bunt, followed by a sacrifice fly, resulting in his fourth loss despite retiring the side. Luke Weaver fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his 12th hold.
The biggest question will be, how does David Stearns handle the trade deadline? Will he trade Weaver and trust in Williams? Can he? For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
Hader’s human: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Josh Hader did not retire a batter, allowing singles by Wyatt Langford and Josh Jung, then a walk-off RBI hit up the middle by Brandon Nimmo, resulting in his first loss and second earned run in his 17 appearances this season. However, he has posted a 0.913 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and eight walks (28.3 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
Another Nationals disaster: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, Andrew Alvarez allowed four hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two, resulting in his third loss. He departed with two runners on in the top of the ninth. Justin Lawrence let one of two inherited runners score, issuing a walk and striking out one during the top of the ninth. The Nationals allowed ten runs in the eighth inning or later in this three-game set.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *PJ Poulin | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Preserving a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Garrett Whitlock retired the side on a strikeout, a flyout, and a game-ending groundout, securing his second save. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He owns a nine-game scoreless streak, converting two saves and six holds with a 0.36 WHIP and eight strikeouts (28.6 K-BB%) across 8.1 innings.
Aroldis Chapman earned his first win, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Brayan Bello logged 4.1 innings as a reliever, yielding two hits and an earned run while striking out five.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Cleveland Guardians – Appearing for the fourth time in five days, Cade Smith allowed two hits, including Griffin Conine’s solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts, finishing off an eventual three-run lead. He ends the first half with a 1.105 WHIP and a 63:14 K:BB (28.7 K-BB%) through 44.1 innings, converting 28 of 31 save chances.
- Shawn Armstrong retired the side in the eighth for his seventh hold.
- Hunter Gaddis worked a scoreless seventh, hitting a batter and striking out two, securing his 18th hold.
- Franco Aleman tossed a clean sixth, striking out one for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Minnesota Twins – Tossing two scoreless innings, Andrew Morris worked around a hit and a walk while striking out two for his third save. He threw 37 pitches (23 strikes – 62.2% Strike Rate) and generated six whiffs (16.2 SwStr%). He ends the first half amid a 15-game scoreless streak, posting a 0.529 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and three walks (24.6 K-BB%) across 17 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Taylor Rogers
New York Yankees – Logging two scoreless frames and striking out two, Paul Blackburn notched his first save, closing out a two-run lead in Washington. It’s his first save since June 8, 2025, and the second of his career. He threw 21 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%).
- Ryan Yarbrough earned his second win, stranding a runner, issuing a walk, and retiring one batter in the bottom of the seventh.
- Angel Chivilli allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out one during his combined inning.
- Tim Hill suffered his third blown save, serving up Curtin Mead’s game-tying solo home run in two-thirds of the sixth inning.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Paul Blackburn
Texas Rangers -Maintaining the tied score at the top of the ninth, Jacob Latz navigated around a hit and a walk, then earned his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He wraps up his first half with a 0.672 WHIP, 46 strikeouts, and 11 walks (21.5 K-BB%) over 44.2 innings, converting 18 of 20 save chances.
- Ben Peoples allowed Cam Smith’s solo home run in the eighth.
- Peyton Gray gave up a hit, an earned run, and two walks during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Robby Ahlstrom yielded two hits and two earned runs over one-third of the seventh and was credited with his third hold.
- Cole Winn issued a walk and struck out one in two-thirds of the sixth, securing his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Cole Winn | Tyler Alexander
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Capping a six-run lead at the top of the ninth, Andrew Kittredge retired the side against the Royals, throwing eight pitches (87.5% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Rico Garcia allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth. Yennier Cano gave up a hit in two-thirds of the seventh. Grant Wolfram earned his first win, retiring a batter in the sixth and seventh innings and striking out one.
- Chicago White Sox: In order of appearance, Jordan Hicks fired a clean top of the sixth, striking out the side. He ends the first half on an eight-game scoreless streak, recording a 0.50 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and one walk (50 K-BB%) over eight innings. Seranthony Domínguez tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Kansas City Royals: Rough outing alert for Matt Strahm. He only recorded one out at the bottom of the sixth, allowing four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his third loss.
- Seattle Mariners: Finishing off a six-run lead in Tampa Bay, Andrés Muñoz issued a two-out walk to Richie Palacios before a game-ending strikeout. He threw 20 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (25 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts in a non-save appearance.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Snapping his modest five-game scoreless streak, Jeff Hoffman allowed three hits, including a game-tying RBI single, and two earned runs, resulting in his sixth loss and fourth blown save. Tyler Rogers tossed a clean seventh, striking out one.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Sealing a sweep in Los Angeles and his 22nd save, Paul Sewald fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the 5-6-7 hitters, including a game-ending strikeout of Teoscar Hernández. He threw 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. In the first half, he finished with an impressive 0.882 WHIP, converting 22 of 23 save chances with 38 strikeouts and eight walks (22.6 K-BB%) across 34 innings.
- Juan Morillo notched his tenth hold, issuing a walk in a scoreless eighth.
- Jonathan Loáisiga worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two for his seventh hold.
- Kevin Ginkel retired both batters in the sixth for his eighth hold.
- Ryan Thompson earned his fourth win, recording three outs over the fifth and sixth innings and striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Paul Sewald | Juan Morillo | Brandyn Garcia
Atlanta Braves – Shutting the door on his 19th save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one on 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) and generating four whiffs (40 SwStr%). His first half closes with him recording a 1.083 WHIP and 36 strikeouts against seven walks (22.8 K-BB%), converting 19 of 20 save opportunities.
- Tyler Kinley earned his fifth win, striking out the only batter he faced in the bottom of the eighth.
- Dylan Lee logged 1.2 clean innings, striking out two.
- Didier Fuentes let two of three inherited runners score, giving up a hit and striking out two, resulting in his second blown save.
- Dylan Dodd allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk during one-third of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Raisel Iglesias | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs – Forced into action with two runners on and one out, Jacob Webb induced a groundout by Sal Stewart, followed by a game-ending flyout against Spencer Steer, securing his fifth save. He threw nine pitches (55.6% Strike Rate) without a whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts against six walks over nine innings.
- Caleb Thielbar allowed two hits and retired one batter in the ninth inning.
- Gavin Hollowell logged 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Capping his team’s comeback and preserving a one-run lead, Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one and securing his 25th save. He threw eight pitches (87.5% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (25 SwStr%). He finished the first half without a blown save, posting a 0.781 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 13 walks (39.6 K-BB%) through 39.2 innings.
- Adrian Morejon earned his seventh win despite giving up two hits, including Ernie Clement’s solo home run, a walk, and a hit batter while striking out one across two innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgely Rodriguez
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: As the first reliever in, Chase Petty allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two across two innings, resulting in his second loss.
- Colorado Rockies: In a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Antonio Senzatela issued Rafael Devers a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, allowed Bryce Eldridge’s one-out single and a two-RBI single by Willy Adames, resulting in his second loss in the last five days.
- Miami Marlins: In an eventual loss, Pete Fairbanks allowed Chase DeLauter’s solo home run in the top of the ninth. Through 29 innings, he owns a 1.414 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 12 walks (20 K-BB%), converting 13 of 15 save chances.
- St. Louis Cardinals: With the score tied at the top of the ninth, JoJo Romero allowed Ozzie Albies’ one-out double and hit Michael Harris II with a pitch, followed by a two-out throwing error on a Mauricio Dubón grounder, resulting in his third loss. He finished with a hit, an unearned run, a walk, and a hit batter.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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