Sunday’s slate featured six wins (two were accompanied by a blown save), six saves, three losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 865 saves this season by 216 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already surpassed last year for the number of pitchers with at least one save and is within seven more relievers recording their first save to tie the record of 223 set in 2024.
There are no vulture save options for Monday’s slate.
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Although he had converted his previous ten save chances since June 8, Andrés Muñoz could not protect a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, allowing a game-tying solo shot by Luke Keaschall leading off the inning, his first home run allowed since May 26, resulting in his sixth blown save. It was not a smooth inning after that, giving up Trevor Larnach’s one-out single and walking Ryan Jeffers before striking out Josh Bell, followed by Kody Clemens inning-ending flyout. But Muñoz collected his fifth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He used six change-ups in this outing, but the fastball location resulted in both hits. First, his illustrator:
And his results:
- Jose A. Ferrer let his only inherited runner score, and two earned runs on his ledger, serving up Royce Lewis’ three-run home run during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo only recorded one out, giving up Larnach’s solo shot among his two hits, resulting in three runs (two earned) in one-third of the eighth. He has allowed at least a run in consecutive appearances and in four of his last six while allowing four home runs.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Three Takeaways
Regression and Yoendrys: With the score tied at the bottom of the ninth, Yoendrys Gómez gave up a leadoff single by Josh Naylor, struck out Cal Raleigh, then allowed consecutive hits, culminating in Colt Emerson’s game-winning RBI single, resulting in his first loss. Although the 14 saves on the season, including 13 in as many chances for the Twins, appear alluring, his 3.42 ERA accompanies a 4.56 SIERA and a 5.20 xERA. This means more outings like Sunday’s may be coming.
His strong May has carried his overall results, but walks and a rising WHIP may result in fewer save opportunities, especially if the team adds a veteran right-handed reliever before the trade deadline passes:
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | A.J. Minter
Meet the Mets’ leverage RPs: During a shutout loss, Devin Williams allowed Otto Lopez’s one-out single, a stolen base, and an RBI single by Xavier Edwards before retiring Griffin Conine on a pop-out and an inning-ending caught stealing. This snapped his modest five-game scoreless streak. Huascar Brazobán issued a walk and struck out two in a scoreless eighth. Luke Weaver fired a clean seventh, striking out one. Brooks Raley retired the side in the sixth. Were these showcase outings ahead of the trade deadline? Raley should have a go bag packed as a pending free agent, but will a team be able to acquire Weaver? Stay tuned. Brazobán was traded to the White Sox earlier this morning.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
New threads, same outcome: Making his team debut in a lopsided loss, Camilo Doval served up Tyler Stephenson’s solo home run and recorded a strikeout, throwing 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1% Strike Rate) with one whiff. Working in situations like these is not ideal for a high-leverage reliever, so take the velocity readings with a grain of salt:
What we cannot predict is how effectively he pitches for the remainder of the season and whether he rises in the team’s pecking order. Command and reducing his home run rate will be key factors. Hope lies in his 109 career saves, but his WHIP and his quality of contact allowed must improve if he’s going to turn his career around in Pittsburgh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Houston Astros – Taking over with two runners on and two outs at the top of the eighth, A.J. Blubaugh stranded both and retired all four batters, one on a strikeout, securing his first career save. He threw 16 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
- Bryan King allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Bryan Abreu collected his third win, stranding a runner in the seventh, striking out both batters, but he walked one in the eighth, prompting his removal. This extends his scoreless streak to nine games.
- Steven Okert allowed two hits, including a game-tying Brandon Nimmo solo home run, and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Los Angeles Angels – Sealing a combined shutout and his fourth save, Ryan Zeferjahn stranded a runner in the eighth and logged 1.2 innings, scattering two hits and striking out four. He threw 30 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s now tied with Jordan Romano for the team lead in saves.
- Sam Bachman issued a walk and recorded an out, but left with an injury at the top of the eighth, earning his 17th hold.
- Luke Murphy notched his first hold, allowing a walk during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Sam Bachman | *Samy Natera Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, David Bednar induced an inning-ending flyout by Ian Happ, then worked around a one-out walk with a game-ending strikeout, preserving a one-run lead for his 24th save. He threw 23 pitches (17 strikes – 73.9% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (13 SwStr%) across his 1.1 scoreless innings. Since the start of July, he has been scoreless in 11 of 12 appearances, recording two wins and eight saves while posting a 0.60 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (22.5 K-BB%) through 13.1 innings.
- Paul Blackburn issued two walks and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth, credited with his fourth hold.
- Brent Headrick notched his 15th hold, stranding all three inherited runners in the sixth and retiring all four batters, three via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Pressed into action at the top of the eighth, Cade Smith stranded both inherited runners with an inning-ending flyout. Returning for the ninth, he navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout, preserving the combined shutout against Arizona. He threw 31 pitches (18 strikes – 58.1% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (12.9 SwStr%) ahead of a day off on Monday.
- Kansas City Royals: Amid a seven-run loss at Coors Field, Steven Cruz fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout, throwing 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in his last four appearances and converted two saves in his last six. Nate Pearson worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Texas Rangers: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Tyler Alexander allowed a hit and hit a batter while recording one out, but both runners eventually scored, putting two earned runs and his second loss on his ledger. Cole Winn took over with two runners on, letting both score while giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his one-third of the inning.
- Toronto Blue Jays: With the score tied at the top of the ninth against the Cardinals, Louis Varland had a contact-induced outing, and a throwing error extended it. He finished with three hits, four runs (one earned), and a walk during two-thirds of the ninth, resulting in his fourth loss.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Securing his 24th save, Raisel Iglesias worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout, preserving a two-run lead at the top of the ninth. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last three appearances, recording a save in each.
- Dylan Lee worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one for his 23rd hold.
- Didier Fuentes logged two clean innings while striking out four, notching his 12th hold.
- Dylan Dodd collected his third win, retiring the side and striking out one in the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Miami Marlins – Completing a combined shutout, Pete Fairbanks worked around Jared Young’s leadoff walk and a two-out walk to Francisco Alvarez with a game-ending flyout, securing his 17th save. He threw 21 pitches (11 strikes – 52.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. He has been scoreless in his last five games and converted all four save chances in them.
- Tyler Zuber notched his seventh hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless bottom of the eighth. He has been receiving more leverage work in the second half.
- Michael Petersen pulled a “Houdini,” stranding both inherited runners despite walking his first batter faced with consecutive strikeouts and an inning-ending groundout for his 18th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
San Diego Padres – Filling in capably for Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon stranded a runner at the top of the eighth and retired four of five batters faced, striking out three and hitting a batter while securing his second save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes – 68.2% Strike Rate) and racked up six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
- Bradgely Rodriguez allowed two hits, including a solo home run by Rafael Devers, and recorded both outs via strikeout for his eighth hold.
- Jeremiah Estrada tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one, notching his ninth hold.
- Griffin Canning collected his third win, logging two innings and allowing an earned run on a solo shot by Osleivis Basabe.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Philadelphia Phillies: Benefiting from a rain-shortened contest, Tim Mayza collected his third win, logging two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out three across the fourth and fifth innings in Baltimore.
- San Francisco Giants: Called upon with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Erik Miller hit Luis Rengifo with a pitch and recorded the last out of the inning, thwarting the threat in an eventual one-run loss. JT Brubaker issued a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth. Dylan Smith gave up a hit and struck out one in the seventh.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: