Wednesday’s 19 games yielded wins by nine relievers, though two were accompanied by a blown save (Yimi García and Camilo Doval), and ten saves while suffering eight losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
| Reliever | Save # | Pitches | Strike% | SwStr% | K:BB | BF |
| Robert Suarez | 24 | 16 | 62.5 | 6.3 | 1:0 | 6 |
| Jeff Hoffman | 20 | 14 | 79% | 0 | 1:0 | 4 |
| Andrés Muñoz | 19 | 15 | 73.3 | 0 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Edwin Díaz | 17 | 21 | 61.9 | 19 | 3:0 | 4 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 15 | 12 | 75 | 33.3 | 1:0 | 3 |
| Jhoan Durán | 13 | 9 | 77.8 | 11.1 | 0:0 | 3 |
| Daniel Palencia | 10 | 27 | 55.6 | 14.8 | 0:1 | 5 |
| Bennett Sousa | 3 | 14 | 78.6 | 28.6 | 1:0 | 5 |
| Dane Dunning | 1 | 51 | 54.9 | 2 | 1:1 | 12 |
| Edwin Uceta | 1 | 29 | 72.4 | 24.1 | 3:0 | 7 |
For our save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for July 3
- Porter Hodge (CHC): Palencia and Keller have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Randy Rodríguez (SF): Doval logged two innings and threw 29 pitches during last night’s win.
Vulture Save Stashes for July 4
- Matt Brash (SEA): He should be unavailable today, and if Muñoz gets deployed, it will be back-to-back outings for the closer.
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI): If Miller pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Cole Sands (MIN): If Durán and Jax are used in today’s game, it’s back-to-back contests.
- José Buttó (NYM): If Díaz pitches today, a multi-inning save could be on tap for Buttó on Friday.
Here are the leverage events of interest from this voluminous slate.
Closer CliffsNotes
Boston Red Sox – (SSP Game) – Shutting the door on his 15th save, and the 350th of his career, Aroldis Chapman retired the side against the Reds’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket while recording one strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Since June 1, he has allowed an unearned run while converting all seven save opportunities, posting a minuscule 0.33 WHIP with 20 strikeouts against two walks (45 K-BB%) through 12 innings.
- Brayan Bello earned his fourth win as the “bulk follower,” taking over the conclusion of the suspended game at the top of the fourth. He logged five innings, giving up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out three.
(Game 2) – During a bullpen game, Chris Murphy earned his first hold, logging 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two. Greg Weissert took over at the top of the sixth and stranded a runner. At the top of the seventh, he gave up four hits, five runs (three earned), and a walk, resulting in his third loss and a fifth blown save.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Jordan Hicks | Greg Weissert
Chicago Cubs –Handed a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Daniel Palencia held on for his tenth save. His outing began with Angel Martínez reaching on a fielding error, and after a one-out walk, followed by a wild pitch putting two runners into scoring position, a sacrifice fly scored an unearned run. Palencia bent but did not break, recording a game-ending flyout by Kyle Manzardo. He threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%). He has converted all ten save chances since May 21.
- Brad Keller navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth, securing his 14th hold.
- Caleb Thielbar notched his ninth hold, giving up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
- Ryan Pressly stranded a runner despite issuing a walk during two-thirds of the sixth for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Ryan Pressly
Chicago White Sox – Summoned with two runners on and one out, Steven Wilson could not stem the tide, allowing a game-tying sacrifice fly by Mookie Betts, issuing Will Smith a walk, and Freddie Freeman’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his third blown save.
Grant Taylor suffered his first loss while getting credit for his fourth hold. He worked a clean bottom of the eighth, then encountered trouble during the ninth, giving up Michael Conforto’s lead-off single and issuing consecutive walks before inducing an RBI fielder’s choice groundout by Shohei Ohtani before his removal. He finished with a hit, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out two. This is part of the learning curve, but a two-inning save against this lineup in his ninth career appearance was a big ask by his manager.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Brandon Eisert | *Steven Wilson
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Providing his teammates with much-needed rest at high altitude, Bennett Sousa took over with a three-run lead at the top of the ninth in Colorado. His outing began with consecutive bloops putting runners at the corners. He induced a groundball double play by Kyle Farmer, scoring a run. With two outs, Ryan Ritter also blooped a single and moved to second on a wild pitch, before a game-ending strikeout, resulting in Sousa’s third save. He allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one.
- Kaleb Ort retired the side and struck out one in the eighth, securing his second hold.
- Steven Okert gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless seventh, notching his fifth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Bennett Sousa
Minnesota Twins – Sealing a one-run win, Jhoan Durán worked around Connor Norby’s one-out single by inducing a game-ending double play groundout for his 13th save. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and produced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%).
This marked his first save since June 27 and extended his scoreless streak to three games.
- Griffin Jax fired a clean eighth, striking out one while securing his 18th hold.
- Danny Coulombe issued a walk and retired a batter, stranding two runners at the bottom of the seventh for his fourth hold.
- Louis Varland allowed three hits but no runs while recording two outs in the seventh, getting credit for his 14th hold.
- Brock Stewart gave up two hits and struck out one for his tenth hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Louis Varland
New York Mets – (Game 1) – Summoned with a runner on and one out at the top of the sixth, Reed Garrett put fuel on the fire. He let his only inherited runner score on Brice Turang’s RBI double, a single, a walk, and Joey Ortiz’s grand slam, resulting in his fourth loss and a fifth blown save during two-thirds of an inning.
(Game 2) – Pressed into action at the top of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Edwin Díaz stranded both with an inning-ending strikeout. Although his team tacked on a run at the bottom of the eighth, he nailed down his 17th save, and second requiring four outs, with a clean ninth while striking out two. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (19 SwStr%).
- Ryne Stanek allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Dicky Lovelady worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his first hold.
- Dedniel Núñez let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and striking out one over two-thirds of the sixth for his third hold.
- Blade Tidwell collected his first win as the “bulk follower,” allowing five hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out three through 4.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Ryne Stanek | Reed Garrett
New York Yankees – After his teammates tied the game at the top of the eighth, Devin Williams could not maintain the momentum. He issued George Springer a one-out walk, allowed a stolen base, and intentionally walked Vlad Guerrero Jr. With two on, he induced a flyout by Alejandro Kirk with both runners advancing and with two outs, was charged with a wild pitch, scoring the go-ahead run, followed by Addison Barger’s RBI single, making the deficit two runs. Williams not only had his eight-game scoreless streak snapped, but he was also tagged with his third loss. He threw 25 pitches (56 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (8 SwStr%).
Updated Hierarchy: *Devin Williams | *Luke Weaver | Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – (Game 1) – Another white-knuckle ride with Robert Suarez ended in his NL-leading 24th save. However, he allowed an earned run for a second consecutive appearance, and he has only been scoreless in three of his last eight since June 14. In this outing, he gave up JT Realmuto’s lead-off single, retired the next two batters, but Brandon Marsh produced an RBI pinch-hit single, advancing to third on Trea Turner’s single, before a game-ending strikeout against Kyle Schwarber. Suarez finished with three hits and an earned run while throwing 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Adrian Morejon notched his 14th hold, retiring all four batters and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Jason Adam | Jeremiah Estrada
San Francisco Giants – With a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Camilo Doval allowed Geraldo Perdomo’s lead-off single, followed by Ketel Marte’s game-tying two-run home run, resulting in his fourth blown save.
He bore down after, retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout, and returned for the tenth with a one-run lead, which he preserved by retiring the side with two more strikeouts for his fourth win. This outing showcases his upside, retiring six straight batters while striking out three, despite allowing a game-tying home run earlier. He has allowed multiple runs in three of his last four games.
- Tyler Rogers allowed an unearned run after a throwing error advanced a runner, followed by an RBI single, and recorded a strikeout for his 19th hold.
- Randy Rodríguez worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh, securing his 12th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Camilo Doval | Randy Rodríguez | Tyler Rogers
Seattle Mariners – Shutting the door on his 19th save, Andrés Muñoz retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run margin against the Royals. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3) without a whiff.
It’s his first save since June 8 and his first clean outing since June 24.
- Matt Brash finally allowed his first earned run in his 20th appearance, allowing three hits, including Salvador Perez’s RBI single, while striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Carlos Vargas collected his third win, walking one and striking out two during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Carlos Vargas
Tampa Bay Rays – Forced into action with a runner on second and no out at the top of the ninth, Edwin Uceta gave up an RBI single by Gio Urshela, recorded a strikeout, allowed consecutive singles, and a run-scoring infield single when he did not cover first. With the bases loaded and no outs, he bore down, striking out Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz for his first save. He finished with four hits and an earned run while striking out three on 29 pitches (21 strikes – 72.4 Strike%) with seven whiffs (24.1 SwStr%).
- Eric Orze fired a clean eighth, striking out the side. However, returning for the ninth, he allowed a solo home run (Max Muncy) and a double before being removed. His final line: two hits and two earned runs while striking out three in a combined inning of relief.
- Kevin Kelly worked a clean seventh, recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks |Edwin Uceta | Mason Montgomery
Toronto Blue Jays – Securing his 20th save, Jeff Hoffman allowed Trent Grisham’s infield single, then induced a game-ending pop-up by Ben Rice, protecting the two-run lead. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) without a whiff while striking out one in his outing.
He has converted a save in each of his last three appearances and has been scoreless in his past four.
- Yimi García was thrown right into the fire after coming back from the injured list. He issued Rice a one-out walk and allowed Aaron Judge’s game-tying two-run home run at the top of the eighth, resulting in his fourth blown save. He finished with two hits, two earned runs, and two walks with one strikeout, but was awarded his first win courtesy of a rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Yariel Rodríguez notched his tenth hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Jeff Hoffman | Yimi García | Yariel Rodríguez
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Shelby Miller gave up Heliot Ramos’ lead-off single, followed by a go-ahead sacrifice fly scoring the “place” runner, then induced an inning-ending double play. He suffered his third loss when his team could not rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Atlanta Braves: Taking over at the top of the fourth, Aaron Bummer stranded an inherited runner and logged 2.1 clean frames while striking out three. He was awarded his first win as a result.
- Cincinnati Reds: During the resumption of the suspended contest, Scott Barlow suffered his first blown save, allowing two hits and an earned run on a game-tying sacrifice fly. Lyon Richardson worked a scoreless seventh but gave up two hits and two earned runs at the bottom of the eighth, resulting in his third loss.
- Colorado Rockies: Summoned at the top of the sixth with the score tied, Angel Chivilli allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one en route to his fourth loss. Jake Bird let both inherited runners score, yielding three hits and an earned run during his one-third of an inning.
- Detroit Tigers: Finishing a nine-run lead, Dylan Smith worked 3.1 scoreless frames, scattering two hits and issuing two walks while being awarded his first MLB win during Game 1. In the nightcap, Tommy Kahnle did not record an out at the bottom of the eighth, allowing four hits, five earned runs, and a walk, nuking his ratios, resulting in his first loss and a fourth blown save.
- Kansas City Royals: Called upon at the bottom of the sixth, Angel Zerpa stranded a runner while recording an inning-ending out. Returning for the seventh, he gave up a lead-off double, followed by a hitter reaching via a fielder’s choice. After a sacrifice bunt, he was removed but finished with a hit and two earned runs, handing him his first loss. Steven Cruz took over with two runners on and allowed Julio Rodríguez’s RBI single and a sacrifice fly scoring both before an inning-ending strikeout.
- Los Angeles Angels: A rough outing alert for Ryan Zeferjahn. He took over with two runners on and a 2-0 lead, letting both score on Sean Murphy’s three-run home run, then allowed a hit, two walks, and Matt Olson’s grand slam, prompting his removal. He suffered his second loss and a fifth blown save without recording an out.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: After tossing a clean top of the ninth and recording two strikeouts with his team trailing, Will Klein collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off, three-run rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Securing a split in Game 2, Matt Strahm issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 14 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%), finishing a four-run win over the Padres. Orion Kerkering navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out two during a scoreless eighth.
- Texas Rangers: For a second straight game, an old-school three-inning save was secured by a Rangers’ reliever; this time, it was Dane Dunning. He finished the combined shutout, logging three innings while giving up two hits and a walk with one strikeout. He threw 51 pitches (28 strikes – 54.9 Strike%) and only produced one whiff.
- Washington Nationals: During Game 2, Kyle Finnegan closed out a five-run win with a scoreless top of the ninth, retiring the Tigers’ 9-1-2 hitters in order on 21 pitches (13 strikes – 61.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Cole Henry collected his first win, tossing a scoreless top of the eighth ahead of his team’s six-run outburst at the bottom of the inning.
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