There was another postponement in Minnesota, but the 14-game slate on Tuesday yielded a bevy of high-leverage events. Relievers recorded four wins, ten saves, and six losses, with two recording their first save of the season. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Kyle Finnegan | 15 | 10 | 100 | 20 | 0:0 |
| Jeff Hoffman | 10 | 9 | 88.9 | 22.2 | 1:0 |
| Kenley Jansen | 10 | 20 | 70 | 15 | 2:0 |
| Ryan Walker | 9 | 8 | 62.5 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 8 | 6 | 83.3 | 16.7 | 0:0 |
| Tommy Kahnle | 6 | 12 | 66.7 | 8.3 | 1:0 |
| Luke Weaver | 6 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 0:0 |
| David Bednar | 4 | 16 | 62.5 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Jordan Leasure | 1 | 23 | 56.5 | 8.7 | 2:0 |
| Abner Uribe | 1 | 15 | 73.3 | 20 | 3:0 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 21
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): Chapman, Slaten, and Weissert pitched the previous two days.
- Brad Keller (CHC): If there is a save chance, he may emerge as a preferred option.
- Kendall Graveman (ARI): Miller has worked in three consecutive games, and Ginkel has pitched in four of the last five. (The only caveat: Justin Martinez could be activated after pitching at Triple-A last night.)
- Bryan Baker (BAL): Bautista pitched during last night’s loss and has not appeared in back-to-back games this season.
- Beau Brieske (DET): Vest has appeared three times in the previous four days, and Kahnle has pitched in two of the last three.
- Héctor Neris (LAA): Jansen has logged an appearance in back-to-back contests and four of the last five days.
Suspended Game continuation aided doubleheader options
- Cleveland: YOLO – Matt Festa
- Minnesota: YOLO – Cole Sands
Vulture Save Stashes for May 22
- Yimi García (TOR): If Hoffman pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances.
Three Takeaways
(1) Perplexed by Pittsburgh no more: Going through the game logs and batters faced by batting order, things become clearer in the usage patterns with Don Kelly as manager. In the chart, David Bednar has appeared in six games since May 8 and Dennis Santana in five; the top line reflects hitters in their batting order with the number of times each reliever has faced them below:
| Batting Order Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| David Bednar | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Dennis Santana | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Bednar has matched against the opponent’s third hitter in each game, whereas Santana has faced the other team’s eighth hitter in all of his. Who gets the save will depend on which reliever will be available and which lineup pocket bats in the eighth or ninth inning. Last night, Bednar worked around TJ Friedl’s lead-off single with a double play groundout and an Elly De La Cruz flyout, resulting in his fourth save. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff. This marked his first save since April 30 and he faced the 1-2-3 lineup pocket. Dennis Santana retired the side against the 7-8-9 lineup pocket, throwing 10 pitches (60 Strike%) with one whiff for his fifth hold. He’s been scoreless in six of seven outings in May with a win, a save, and a hold.
(2) Uribe provides an alluring sneak preview: Appearing in a third straight game, Abner Uribe fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out the side for his first save this season and first since April 2 last year. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he’s posted a 1.083 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against five walks (32.7 K-BB%) across 12 innings. Those with room should have him stashed for save chances later this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Nick Mears
(3) J-Mart’s return may be imminent: Pitching at Triple-A for Reno, Justin Martinez allowed a hit during a scoreless inning, throwing 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
More importantly, he recorded five pitches with triple-digit velocity:
He could be activated for the next series and resume a high-leverage role for the Diamondbacks. His workload will be managed, but seeing the velocity rebound after his time off is encouraging.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Entering at the bottom of the tenth with a two-run lead, Shelby Miller suffered his first loss and a third blown save. He allowed Tommy Edman’s lead-off double, scoring the “place” runner, intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani, induced a Mookie Betts’ flyout, and then intentionally walked Freddie Freeman, loading the bases. However, he scored the tying run, hitting Will Smith with a pitch and the walk-off run on a sacrifice fly. Miller finished with a hit, three runs (two earned), and two walks (both intentional) over his two-thirds of an inning.
- Kevin Ginkel worked a scoreless ninth, walking two and striking out two.
- Jalen Beeks gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Kendall Graveman tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remain: Shelby Miller | Kevin Ginkel | Jalen Beeks
Boston Red Sox – Finishing a combined shutout, Aroldis Chapman retired the side at the top of the ninth, facing the Mets’ 5-6-7 lineup pocket for his eighth save. He only needed six pitches (83.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%).
He has a 1.00 WHIP with 26 strikeouts against seven walks (25 K-BB%) through 19 innings. Justin Slaten logged 1.2 clean frames and stranded a runner in the seventh for his second hold. Greg Weissert allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless of the seventh, securing his seventh hold. Justin Wilson worked two-thirds scoreless, walking one and striking out two. Garrett Whitlock collected his second win, yielding two hits and striking out one during a scoreless fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
Chicago White Sox – Preserving a 1-0 win and securing his first save, Jordan Leasure worked around Donovan Solano’s two-out double with a game-ending strikeout. Leasure recorded two strikeouts while throwing 23 pitches (13 strikes – 56.5 Strike%) with two whiffs.
During his seven appearances in May, he has a 1.132 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus one walk (38.1 K-BB%), this save, and five holds across 5.1 innings.
- Cam Booser stranded two runners while allowing a walk and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth for his second hold.
- Steven Wilson was credited with his sixth hold despite giving up a hit and hitting a batter over one-third of the eighth.
- Brandon Eisert tossed a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout for his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Tommy Kahnle retired the side and recorded a strikeout en route to his sixth save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This represents his first save since April 30, and he owns a 0.81 WHIP with 20 strikeouts through 19.2 innings.
- Will Vest collected his fourth win despite issuing two walks and striking out one during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Tyler Holton gave up a hit and an earned run.
- Tyler Holton suffered his second blown save, giving up a hit and an earned run during the seventh.
- Brenan Hanifee stranded a runner, allowing two hits before the bottom of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Will Vest | *Tommy Kahnle | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – After appearing for the fourth time in five days, Kenley Jansen recorded his tenth save. He did allow Lawrence Butler’s two-out single, who moved up to third on defensive indifference and scored on a Seth Brown single before a game-ending strikeout, preserving the two-run win. Jansen threw 20 pitches (70 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%) while striking out two.
He has a 1.37 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 15.1 innings.
- Brock Burke retired his only batter in the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Hunter Strickland worked a clean combined inning, securing his first hold.
- Reid Detmers stranded a runner and allowed a hit while striking out one during his scoreless combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Héctor Neris | Ryan Zeferjahn
Los Angeles Dodgers – Called upon with two outs and a runner on first, Anthony Banda retired his only batter (Josh Naylor) on three pitches, then collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth.
Tanner Scott suffered his third blown save, allowing a game-tying Gabriel Montero solo home run at the top of the ninth. He returned for the tenth, giving up Corbin Carroll’s one-out, two-run home run, and finished with four hits, three runs (two earned), and two strikeouts over his 1.2 innings. He threw 28 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (10.7 SwStr%).
- Ben Casparius retired his only batter via strikeout, stranding all three inherited runners at the top of the eighth for his fourth hold.
- Alex Vesia gave up two hits and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 11th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Ben Casparius | Alex Vesia
New York Yankees – Inheriting a runner on third with two outs, Luke Weaver induced a game-ending Josh Smith pop-out and recorded his sixth save, throwing two pitches. He’s been scoreless in his last five appearances and has posted consecutive one-out saves. He owns a 0.58 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus six walks (21.6 K-BB%) through 20.2 innings.
- Ian Hamilton gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the ninth.
- Devin Williams navigated around Wyatt Langford’s one-out double and a wild pitch while striking out two for his fourth hold.
- Mark Leiter Jr. tossed 1.1 scoreless frames and recorded two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Weaver | Devin Williams | Fernando Cruz
San Francisco Giants – Closing a one-run win over the Royals, Ryan Walker notched his ninth save, retiring the 4-5-6 lineup pocket in order on eight pitches (62.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s converted a save in his last two appearances and is riding a modest four-game scoreless streak. He’s posted a 1.28 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus seven walks (11.5 K-BB%) through 18 innings.
- Camilo Doval let his only inherited runner score on a Bobby Witt Jr. RBI single and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his seventh hold.
- Kyle Harrison worked 1.1 innings, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out two for his first hold.
- Randy Rodríguez secured his fourth hold, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
Tampa Bay Rays -After losing yesterday, Manuel Rodríguez benefited from a walk-off rally and recorded his first win. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth, yielding a hit, striking out one on 12 pitches (58.3 Strike%), and induced one whiff.
- Pete Fairbanks tossed a scoreless eighth, keeping the game tied, allowing a hit, and striking out two against the Astros’ 4-5-6-7 hitters.
- Garrett Cleavinger walked one and struck out two during a scoreless seventh.
- Edwin Uceta retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth.
Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Toronto Blue Jays – Nailing down his tenth save, Jeff Hoffman fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout while preserving a combined shutout against San Diego. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has a 1.13 WHIP with 32 strikeouts versus five walks (31.1 K-BB%) across 21.1 innings.
Yariel Rodríguez retired the side and recorded his sixth hold in the eighth. He’s riding a seven-game scoreless streak, during which he has a 0.515 WHIP with a 10:1 K:BB across 9.2 innings.
Brendon Little gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh, securing his ninth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Chad Green
Washington Nationals – Slamming the door on his 15th save, Kyle Finnegan retired the side on ten pitches, all strikes, preserving a two-run win over Atlanta. He faced the 4-5-6 lineup pocket. He has converted six straight save opportunities and been scoreless in five.
- Jorge López worked a clean eighth, notching his fourth hold.
- Jose A. Ferrer gave up a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
- Cole Henry recorded his first hold, working a clean combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Jose A. Ferrer | Jorge López
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: As the “bulk follower,” Chayce McDermott suffered his first loss, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and five walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings. Félix Bautista took over at the bottom of the eighth, his first appearance since May 16, and allowed two hits, including Rhys Hoskin’s solo home run, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the inning. He has allowed at least a run in three consecutive contests.
- Cincinnati Reds: Rookie Luis Mey tossed a scoreless bottom of the seventh, giving up a hit, a walk, and a hit batter while striking out one.
- Houston Astros: Pressed into action at the bottom of the eighth, Kaleb Ort stranded a runner, keeping the score tied. He returned for the ninth, issuing Christopher Morel a lead-off walk, followed by Brandon Lowe’s pinch-hit double and a game-ending one-out sacrifice fly against Taylor Walls, resulting in his first loss.
- Miami Marlins: Taking over a tied game at the top of the sixth, Calvin Faucher allowed five hits, some with low exit velocities, six earned runs, and a walk without recording an out, resulting in his second loss. Lake Bachar let both inherited runners score, allowing three hits and two earned runs with a strikeout in the sixth.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Entering a tied game at the top of the eighth, Kyle Leahy issued a walk and induced an inning-ending lineout. During the ninth, he allowed Zach McKinstry’s lead-off single and Riley Greene’s go-ahead RBI double, then retired the next three batters, resulting in his first loss.
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