Friday’s slate featured eight wins, nine saves, five losses, and five blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 851 saves this season by 215 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already matched last year for the number of pitchers with at least one save with two months remaining and before the trade deadline:
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Option for 8.1.2026
- Brock Burke (CIN): Pagán has pitched in back-to-back games and in three of the previous four.
- A.J. Minter (MIN): If he’s available, Gómez and Morris have worked in consecutive contests.
Vulture Save Stash for 8.2.2026
- None yet.
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Our updated Trade Deadline Market Trends with notes on relievers before gameplay on July 30.
Three Takeaways
Lovullo lied? Locking down his third save, Brandyn Garcia fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one while facing a switch-hitter (Brayan Rocchio) and two left-handed batters (Petey Halpin and Travis Bazzana). He only needed seven pitches, all strikes, and generated three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%). Kevin Ginkel tossed a clean eighth, securing his 11th hold. Jonathan Loáisiga worked a scoreless seventh with his team down 1-0, but collected his third win courtesy of a four-run rally at the top of the eighth. Taylor Clarke retired the side and struck out one in the sixth.
It’s tough believing Loáisga is who he may prefer since he pitched in the seventh against the bottom of the lineup. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: *Brandyn Garcia | *Juan Morillo | *Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Backend Bucs-woes: Entering with a two-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Wilber Dotel allowed three hits, three runs (two earned), and recorded a strikeout during one-third of an inning, getting tagged with his fourth loss and a first blown save. Mason Montgomery could not stem the tide, though his defense let him down. He induced a groundout by JJ Bleday, intentionally walked Tyler Stephenson, then produced a fielder’s choice grounder to third, but the throw to second was dropped, scoring the eventual game-winning run. Montgomery finished the inning with a strikeout, but let his only inherited runner score during his two-thirds of an inning, throwing 12 pitches (83.3% Strike Rate) with one whiff.
Pittsburgh relievers have more losses in relief (24) than saves (21) and have suffered 20 blown saves this season. If this unit is not addressed before the trade deadline, the team’s 25.2 percent playoff odds will plummet.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | *Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
A historic save by Germán in San Diego: Recording his first career save and his team’s first of three innings or more since 2022, Germán Márquez worked five scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two, completing a combined shutout of the Giants. He threw 70 pitches (43 strikes – 61.4% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
Yuki Matsui collected his second win, giving up a hit and striking out two across a career-high three innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Jeremiah Estrada
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Capping his team’s comeback, Tyler Wells notched his fourth save, retiring the Phillies’ 7-8-9 pocket in order on 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) with one whiff. It’s his first save since July 17, and he’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances, recording a 0.581 WHIP with eight strikeouts and three walks across 10.2 innings.
- Yennier Cano fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his ninth hold.
- Anthony Nunez stranded a runner and retired two of three batters in the seventh, walking and striking out one, collecting his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tyler Wells | *Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Despite issuing two one-out walks, Yoendrys Gómez was able to close out a two-run lead in Seattle, inducing a groundout by Colt Emerson, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Mitch Garver, notching his 14th save. He threw 25 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and did not produce a whiff. He has been scoreless in his last four outings, but has issued multiple walks in two. Through 11 games in July, he recorded two wins and five saves while posting a 1.452 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and seven walks (6.5 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings.
- Andrew Morris fired a clean bottom of the eighth against Seattle’s 2-3-4 hitters, securing his 16th hold.
- Tommy Nance retired both batters, one via strikeout, for his fifth hold in the seventh.
- Kody Funderburk collected his second win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | A.J. Minter
New York Yankees – Completing a combined shutout, David Bednar worked around Pedro Ramírez’s one-out single with a flyout and a game-ending groundout, securing his 23rd save. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in 10 of 11 appearances in July, recording two wins while converting seven saves, posting a 0.583 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and two walks (25 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
- Paul Blackburn stranded two runners in the seventh and retired all four batters, three via strikeout, notching his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Brent Headrick
Toronto Blue Jays – Protecting a two-run lead, Louis Varland worked around Masyn Winn’s one-out single with a flyout and a game-ending groundout, recording his 24th save. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He logged nine appearances in July, converting all seven save chances, posting a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts and two walks across 10 innings.
- Jeff Hoffman fired a clean eighth, striking out two, and collected his sixth win when his team rallied for two runs at the bottom of the inning.
- Spencer Miles gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Summoned with two runners on and one out at the top of the eighth, Erik Sabrowski allowed two hits, resulting in two runs (one earned), and a walk while letting both inherited runners score without recording an out, earning his second blown save. Matt Festa let one of his two inherited runners score, yielding a hit during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Detroit Tigers: As the first reliever in, Ty Madden logged three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out two, earning his first win. Drew Sommers worked two clean frames and struck out three, securing his seventh hold. Enmanuel De Jesus finished off the contest with two clean innings, striking out one.
- Seattle Mariners: Summoned at the top of the sixth, Jose A. Ferrer stranded a runner while retiring both batters, one via strikeout. Upon his return in the seventh, he gave up Royce Lewis’ game-tying solo home run, a single, and recorded an out, prompting his removal. He finished with two earned runs on two hits and a strikeout, resulting in his second loss and a third blown save. Eduard Bazardo replaced him, letting an inherited runner score on a double, and allowed a solo home run while striking out three across his 1.2 innings.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Providing his teammates with much-needed rest, Elieser Hernández logged three innings, allowing five hits, including a solo home run by Andrés Chapparo, and a walk while striking out four, resulting in his first career save. He threw 62 pitches (41 strikes – 66.1% Strike Rate) and produced seven whiffs (11.3 SwStr%). He has only made two appearances this season, working three innings in both, recording a win and this save.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Preserving a one-run lead, Emilio Pagán worked around a two-out hit batter with a game-ending strikeout. Invoking the brief and ineffective rule, Pagán was awarded his fourth win instead of a save. He threw 14 pitches (6 strikes – 42.9% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances, recording two wins and four saves with a 0.33 WHIP and eight strikeouts (38.1 K-BB%) over six innings.
- Pierce Johnson let both inherited runners score while giving up three hits and an earned run with one strikeout during his two-thirds of the eighth, suffering his first blown save.
- Caleb Ferguson gave up two hits during one-third of the eighth and was credited with his third hold while getting two earned runs on his ledger.
- Julian Garcia stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh for his second hold.
- Sam Moll walked one and struck out two for his fifth hold in two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Colorado Rockies – Nailing down his ninth save, and fifth for the Rockies, Jordan Romano now leads two major league teams in saves this season. He retired the side and recorded one strikeout against the Royals’ 4-5-6 hitters, throwing 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and inducing one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last four appearances, converting three saves.
- Brennan Bernardino retired two of three batters in the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Antonio Senzatela recorded an out in the seventh despite giving up a hit and retired one batter in the eighth, earning his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Antonio Senzatela | Brennan Bernardino
Miami Marlins – Shutting the door on his 16th save, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout against the Mets’ 7-8-9 hitters. He threw seven pitches (85.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Perhaps rounding into form, he has been scoreless in his last four games, securing a save in three, retiring all 12 batters and striking out five (41.7 K-BB%).
- Tyler Zuber worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two for his sixth hold.
- Calvin Faucher stranded two runners in the sixth and allowed a solo home run in the seventh (Francisco Lindor), recording four outs, all on strikeouts, getting his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Bulk reliever Cole Irvin suffered his first loss, giving up eight hits, six earned runs, and three walks while striking out five against Boston.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Sealing a four-run lead against the Angels, Trevor Megill fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one. He converted all six save chances in July and was scoreless in eight of nine appearances, recording a 0.96 WHIP with seven strikeouts and two walks over 8.1 innings. Abner Uribe stranded an inherited runner, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, in the eighth.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Taking over with a two-run lead at the bottom of the seventh, Orion Kerkering allowed two hits, resulting in four earned runs, hit a batter (Pete Alonso), and walked one while striking out two during two-thirds of an inning, suffering his first loss and second blown save. Tim Mayza replaced him, letting both inherited runners score on Gunnar Henderson’s go-ahead two-RBI triple.
- St. Louis Cardinals: After stranding two runners in the seventh, and with the score tied at the bottom of the eighth and the bullpen stretched thin, Peter Strzelecki issued two walks that resulted in two earned runs on his ledger. He suffered his first loss as a result during his combined inning. Gordon Graceffo let both inherited runners score on a Luis Urías single and issued a walk during his two-thirds of the eighth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: