On this Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have fallen and honor them with our gratitude. Sunday’s slate featured nine wins by relievers and 11 saves while suffering seven losses. Three recorded their first save, including one career first. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB |
| Robert Suarez | 17 | 9 | 77.8 | 0 | 0:0 |
| Mason Miller | 12 | 12 | 66.7 | 33.3 | 1:0 |
| Ryan Walker | 10 | 17 | 64.7 | 11.8 | 1:0 |
| Trevor Megill | 9 | 18 | 66.7 | 27.8 | 2:0 |
| Luke Weaver | 8 | 21 | 76.2 | 23.8 | 0:0 |
| Robert Garcia | 2 | 11 | 81.8 | 18.2 | 1:0 |
| Phil Maton | 2 | 20 | 75 | 10 | 2:0 |
| Daniel Palencia | 2 | 21 | 85.7 | 28.6 | 1:0 |
| Taylor Clarke | 1 | 14 | 57.1 | 7.1 | 0:1 |
| Reed Garrett | 1 | 15 | 73.3 | 33.3 | 2:0 |
| Ronny Henriquez | 1 | 10 | 90 | 60 | 2:0 |
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for May 26
- Griffin Jax (MIN): Durán has pitched in consecutive contests.
- Shawn Armstrong (TEX): He will be tasked with the top of the Blue Jays lineup, if they line up for the ninth, he will get the call.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): Henriquez has worked in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for May 27
- Camilo Doval (SF): If Walker pitches today, it will be consecutive outings.
- Lucas Erceg (KC): Received a much-needed day off on Sunday, and if Estévez pitches today, it’s back-to-back appearances.
- Ryan Pressly (CHC): He’s primarily worked in lower leverage situations recently, but if Palencia pitches today, he will have worked in consecutive games.
Three Takeaways
(1) Texas two-step in high-leverage: For a second consecutive time, Luke Jackson took over during the sixth inning, not the usage pattern of a closer. He let his only inherited runner score on a sacrifice fly, but it’s his 1.60 WHIP with a 4.61 SIERA and 5.05 xERA, which may be removing him from save chances. It’s tough to get the last three outs of a game with a 9.5 percent swinging strike rate and 78.7 contact percentage. Shawn Armstrong collected his second win, stranding a runner at the bottom of the seventh and retiring all four batters, three via strikeout on 20 pitches (65 Strike%) with five whiffs (25 SwStr%).
Finishing his team’s comeback rally, Robert Garcia held on for his second save. He allowed Edgar Quero’s lead-off double and recorded a strikeout, followed by Michael A. Taylor’s RBI double. Garcia picked Taylor off on a stolen base attempt and then induced a game-ending flyout, preserving the one-run win. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He has allowed an earned run in his last three appearances but will benefit from a fantasy perspective if he’s in the mix for future save opportunities. This usage pattern indicates the Rangers’ have shifted into a match-up-based bullpen with shared saves.
Updated Hierarchy: *Robert Garcia | *Shawn Armstrong | Luke Jackson
*= closer-by-committee with a match-up-based approach
(2) Palencia stating his case: Taking over against the Reds’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, Daniel Palencia navigated around Elly De La Cruz’s lead-off single by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout, while securing his second save. He threw 21 pitches (85.7 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
He’s converted his last two save chances and been scoreless in eight of his nine appearances in May with a 1.00 WHIP and ten strikeouts versus three walks (19.5 K-BB%) over nine innings. He has slightly increased his swinging strike rate to 12 percent this month with a 77.4 percent contact rate. As Porter Hodge rehabs his oblique strain, Palencia has emerged as a trusted ninth-inning option for Craig Counsell, how roles evolve through June will be intriguing.
Hierarchy remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Drew Pomeranz
(3) Ronny strikes out the side: Miami has produced nine saves this year, and on Sunday, a fifth reliever recorded one, Ronny Henriquez. Before this appearance, he had entered games in the fourth inning once, the fifth inning one time, the sixth inning five times, and the seventh once across ten games in May. However, during his first career saves, he faced the Angels’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, throwing ten pitches (90 Strike%) with six whiffs (60 SwStr%) while striking out the side:
He has been scoreless through 11 games in May with a 0.818 WHIP and 17 strikeouts against three walks (31.8 K-BB%) across 11 innings. Pretty good. He’s also posted a 67.8 strike percentage and a 24.6 percent swinging strike rate in this sample. First-year manager Clayton McCullough was forthright this spring, saying he would not rely on a traditional closer approach during save situations, but Henriquez may earn a larger leverage share moving forward if he’s allowed. His slider could be a late-inning impact pitch. For now:
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Ronny Henriquez | *Calvin Faucher | *Anthony Bender
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
Closer CliffsNotes
Chicago White Sox – Taking over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Jordan Leasure hit Josh Jung with a pitch leading off the inning, followed by Jake Burger’s double, putting runners in scoring position. After recording a strikeout, the game-tying run scored on a fielding error, then Adolis García doubled, driving in two runs, resulting in Leasure’s fourth loss and third blown save.
- Cam Booser fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his fourth hold.
- Miguel Castro worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Cam Booser | *Jordan Leasure | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Bryan King collected his third win after logging 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two. He stranded two runners at the top of the eighth and worked a scoreless ninth, throwing 20 pitches (70 Strike%) with three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
- Kaleb Ort tossed a scoreless combined inning, giving up two hits and striking out two.
- Shawn Dubin tossed 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bryan King
Kansas City Royals – Summoned at the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, Taylor Clarke stranded the “place” runner despite issuing a walk and recorded his first save with a scoreless appearance. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff while facing the Twins’ 4-5–6-7 hitters.
Carlos Estévez collected his second win, logging 1.1 clean frames and striking out two. He stranded a runner at the bottom of the eighth and threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) with one whiff in his outing.
He’s on a modest six-game scoreless streak and has posted a 1.13 WHIP with 21 strikeouts against 10 walks (11.5 K-BB%) over 23 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber
Milwaukee Brewers – Preserving a come-from-behind rally, Trevor Megill worked around a two-out infield single with a game-ending groundout, sealing his ninth save. He recorded two strikeouts while throwing 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in ten of his last 11 appearances and converted all six save chances with 11 strikeouts against four walks (17.5 K-BB%) with a 1.00 WHIP across ten innings.
- Abner Uribe notched his 13th hold, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Jared Koenig was awarded his third win despite giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during his 1.2 innings.
- Nick Mears suffered his fourth blown save, allowing three hits and two earned runs over one-third of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Jared Koenig
New York Mets – Securing his first save, Reed Garrett navigated around a one-out Max Muncy single for a scoreless ninth and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while preserving a two-run win over the Dodgers.
- Max Kranick notched his fourth hold, logging two scoreless frames.
- Ryne Stanek stranded a runner and retired both batters in the sixth, securing his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Reed Garrett | Ryne Stanek
New York Yankees – Surviving traffic in Coors, Luke Weaver held on for his eighth save despite giving up three hits, including Mickey Moniak’s solo home run during the bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run victory. He threw 21 pitches (16 strikes – 76.2 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%).
He has a 0.63 WHIP with 23 strikeouts against six walks (20 K-BB%) across 23.2 innings.
- Devin Williams navigated around a hit and a walk with three strikeouts for a scoreless eighth, sealing his sixth hold. This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, spanning 7.1 innings with 13 strikeouts against two walks.
- Mark Leiter Jr. collected his third win, working 1.1 scoreless innings, giving up a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Luke Weaver | Devin Williams | Jonathan Loásiga
San Diego Padres – Finishing a two-run win over Atlanta, Robert Suarez nailed down his National League-leading 17th save with a clean bottom of the ninth. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) without a whiff against the 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
He’s posted a 0.86 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus eight walks (17 K-BB%) through 22 innings.
- Jason Adam fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his 13th hold.
- Adrian Morejon tossed a clean seventh, securing his seventh hold.
- Jeremiah Estrada collected his second win, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants – Another white-knuckle ride with Ryan Walker at the bottom of the ninth. He allowed CJ Abrams’ lead-off double, induced a flyout, threw a wild pitch moving him to third, and gave up James Wood’s RBI double, cutting the lead to one. Walker bore down, striking out Nathaniel Lowe ahead of a game-ending flyout for his tenth save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
This snapped his four-game scoreless streak, but he’s converted a save in his last three appearances.
- Tyler Rogers fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his tenth hold.
- Randy Rodríguez retired the side in the seventh, striking out one, and secured his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Ryan Walker | Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers
St. Louis Cardinals – Working into and out of trouble, Phil Maton secured his second hold, allowing a hit and a hit batter while striking out two during a one-run win over Arizona. His outing began with Alek Thomas’ double, followed by hitting Geraldo Perdomo with a pitch. Then Maton bore down, recording a strikeout against Corbin Carroll, inducing a pop-out by Ketel Marte, and a game-ending strikeout of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with runners at second and third. He threw 20 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (10 SwStr%).
- JoJo Romero worked a scoreless eighth despite walking one for his eighth hold.
- John King collected his first win after retiring the side in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | Kyle Leahy | Phil Maton
The Athletics – Appearing for a third consecutive game for the first time in his career, Mason Miller worked around Alec Bohm’s two-out single with a game-ending caught stealing, securing his 12th save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%) while preserving a one-run win over the Phillies. Note he leaned on his slider, not the four-seam in this outing:
This has been a tough stretch for the closer, but he displayed grit in this outing, rebounding with a much-needed scoreless outing and snapping his team’s losing skid.
- Tyler Ferguson stranded a runner, retiring his only batter at the top of the eighth, and was awarded his first win.
- Hogan Harris logged 2.2 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Justin Sterner
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: After stranding a runner at the bottom of the sixth, Kevin Ginkel returned for the seventh, allowing Jordan Walker’s lead-off single, and retired the next batter on a groundout but was removed. Jalen Beeks entered with a runner on second and one out and gave up Victor Scott II’s RBI single, scoring the game-winning run and handing Ginkel his second loss.
- Baltimore Orioles: Although he did not preserve the shutout, Andrew Kittredge closed out a four-run win in Boston. He allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two on 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3 Strike%) with two whiffs. Bryan Baker retired the side at the bottom of the eighth.
- Cincinnati Reds: Running on fumes, the bullpen flamed out on Sunday. Graham Ashcraft allowed four hits and three earned runs while striking out two at the top of the seventh. Taylor Rogers suffered his second loss and first blown save, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk without recording an out. Luis Mey let both inherited runners score, serving up Seiya Suzuki’s go-ahead three-run home run.
- Minnesota Twins: Called upon at the top of the tenth, Jhoan Durán suffered his first loss, allowing Maikel Garcia’s two-out RBI single, scoring the “place” runner. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He owns a 1.11 WHIP with 29 strikeouts across 24.1 innings.
- Philadephia Phillies: Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Matt Strahm issued a one-out walk, allowed an RBI triple by Lawrence Butler and a go-ahead RBI single by Willie MacIver, resulting in his third loss and second blown save. He finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Handed a two-run lead at the top of the eighth, Ryan Borucki gave up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the inning, resulting in his second loss and third blown save. Chase Shugart stranded a runner in the eighth and logged 1.1 clean frames.
- Seattle Mariners: With the score tied at the bottom of the ninth, Casey Legumina gave up Jose Altuve’s lead-off single, followed by Christian Walker’s walk-off, two-run home run, resulting in his second loss.
- Washington Nationals: During an eventual loss, Cole Henry retired the side at the top of the ninth. He’s been scoreless in all 10 appearances in May while posting a 0.443 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus three walks across 11.1 innings.
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