Tuesday’s full slate featured eight wins, 11 saves, five losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 933 saves this season by 230 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save on Sunday, and another in last night’s slate.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 8.12.2026
- Huascar Brazobán (CHW): Taylor logged two innings in last night’s contest.
- Ty Madden (DET): He was warming for the save chance if necessary last night; Jansen threw 29 pitches in his outing.
- Ben Joyce (LAA): Though he’s perceived as the closer of the future, he has not been used in a save situation yet. Natera Jr. and Fermin have pitched in back-to-back games, so today may be the day.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.13.2026
- Trent Thornton (CHC): If Webb pitches today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Julian Garcia (CIN): If Pagán is used in today’s game, it will be two straight.
- Tyler Zuber (MIA): If Fairbanks works in today’s game, it will be consecutive outings.
- Paul Blackburn (NYY): If Bednar appears today, it’s back-to-back games.
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Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Jacob Webb induced an inning-ending groundout. Returning for the ninth, he gave up a one-out single while closing out a two-run lead in Washington for his eighth save. He threw 20 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and racked up eight whiffs (40 SwStr%), working 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out two. This extends his scoreless streak to 20 games, during which he’s recorded three wins and six saves with a 0.871 WHIP across 20.2 innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn struggled, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Trent Thornton fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold.
- Ryan Rolison collected his fourth win, stranding two runners in the fifth and logging 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Webb’s recent run of success reflects the Cubs’ pitching lab capabilities. He has slightly tweaked his arsenal, throwing more change-ups and attacking hitters:
His role as the closer may change soon, but it depends on the effectiveness and health of Daniel Palencia one he’s activated.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Ryan Zeferjahn | Ryan Rolison
Today’s Takeaways
More Royals’ ruminations: Summoned at the bottom of the seventh with his team trailing by two, Steven Cruz stranded a runner by inducing an inning-ending groundout by Shohei Ohtani. However, returning for the eighth with a one-run lead, he issued Andy Pages a one-out walk, hit Max Muncy with a pitch with two outs, and allowed Mookie Betts’ game-tying RBI single. Cruz did not factor in the decision, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during his 1.1 innings. Nate Pearson fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two against the Dodgers’ 8-9-1 pocket. Lucas Erceg took over in the tenth, intentionally walking Freddie Freeman, retired Pages on a groundout, intentionally walked Kyle Tucker, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Max Muncy, resulting in his fourth loss.
Although it was a loss, this marked third appearance in the ninth inning across his last four appearances, necessitating a slight tweak in the team’s hierarchy moving forward.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Nate Pearson | *Steven Cruz | John Schreiber
*= closer-by-committee
The Giants’ “B” side RPs finish the win: With the bullpen stretched thin, JT Brubaker converted his second save this season, retiring the side against Houston’s 8-9-1 hitters on three groundouts. He threw seven pitches (85.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Reiver Sanmartin stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the eighth for his first hold. Carson Seymour logged two innings, stranding a runner in the sixth and giving up a hit while striking out two, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Dylan Smith | Keaton Winn | Sam Hentges
A Dodgers’ walk-off: Newly promoted from Triple-A, Seth Halvorsen navigated around Jac Caglianone’s intentional walk with an inning-ending groundout against Salvador Perez for a scoreless top of the tenth. He collected his first win on the ensuing walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Halvorsen threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Edgardo Henriquez fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one. Jack Dreyer stranded one of two runners in the eighth on a lineout with an error and a strikeout. Evan Phillips suffered his second blown save, allowing three hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth. Alex Vesia tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one. This usage pattern provided Edwin Díaz and Tanner Scott a much-needed night off with the Brewers arriving for a four-game set this weekend.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Sealing a three-run lead and his sixth save, Andrew Kittredge fired a clean bottom of the ninth in Minnesota. He threw nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff while striking out one. He owns a modest three-game scoreless streak and has recorded two saves in it.
- Yennier Cano allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth for his 11th hold.
- Josh Walker worked a clean seventh, striking out one, and secured his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: * Andrew Kittredge | *Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Sean Newcomb let the “courtesy runner” score on a sacrifice fly, resulting in his third loss.
Grant Taylor took over at the top of the eighth with two runners on and no outs, letting both score on a two-RBI single by Tyler Stephenson. Taylor worked two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out two during his fourth blown save.
- Bryan Hudson gave up three hits and three earned runs without retiring a batter in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Huascar Brazobán | Bryan Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers –Hanging on in a traffic-infused outing, Kenley Jansen recorded his 14th save, closing out an eventual two-run victory. It began with Steven Kwan’s leadoff single, a one-out walk of José Ramírez, and a walk to Angel Genao, loading the bases. After Jo Adell’s sacrifice fly, Jansen induced a game-ending groundout by Travis Bazzana. He threw 29 pitches (15 strikes – 51.7% Strike Rate) and only induced one whiff, allowing a hit, an earned run, and two walks. Although he was scoreless in nine outings in July, he has allowed at least a run in two of three games this month.
- Tyler Holton notched his 11th hold, stranding a runner and retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Kyle Finnegan stranded a runner in the seventh, but gave up a solo home run while retiring two in the eighth for his 13th hold.
- Drew Sommers had an unearned run on his ledger, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
- Jacob Waguespack collected his first win, tossing two scoreless innings, yielding two hits and a walk.
Los Angeles Angels – Protecting a one-run lead, Samy Natera Jr. retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Rangers’ 8-9-1 batters, notching his third save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff (9.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last three games, recording a save in two.
- José Fermin earned his fourth win, stranding a runner in the seventh and retiring all four batters faced, three via strikeout.
- Luke Murphy gave up two hits and a walk across 1.2 scoreless innings for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Samy Natera Jr. | *Ben Joyce | José Fermin
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Capping his team’s go-ahead rally, David Bednar closed out a three-run lead with a scoreless top of the ninth against Seattle, giving up Dominic Canzone’s one-out single and striking out two, securing his 27th save. He threw 19 pitches (15 strikes – 78.9% Strike Rate) and generated seven whiffs (36.8 SwStr%). Since May 18, he has converted all 17 save opportunities and recorded four wins while posting a 0.741 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 10 walks (22.1 K-BB%) across 32.2 innings.
- Brent Headrick notched his 18th hold, firing a clean top of the eighth and striking out two.
- Tim Hill stranded a runner in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, collecting his fourth win.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Toronto Blue Jays – Another day, and another pitcher recording his first career save. This time, it was Spencer Miles. He closed out a two-run lead against the Red Sox with a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around Masataka Yoshida’s one-out double with consecutive groundouts. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been a Swiss Army knife in this bullpen and added a high-leverage moment into his skillset.
- Braydon Fisher worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and posting his 12th hold.
- Brendon Little stranded a runner, striking out his only batter in the seventh, securing his third hold.
- Chase Lee logged 1.2 scoreless innings, despite giving up a hit and two walks, earning his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Braydon Fisher
Quick Hits
- Seattle Mariners: With a one-run lead in the sixth, Jose A. Ferrer retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his 11th hold. Michael Rucker took over in the seventh, allowing three hits, resulting in four earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the inning, tagging him with his fourth loss and his first blown save. Eduard Bazardo let both inherited runners score, yielding two hits during his two-thirds of the seventh.
- Texas Rangers: Facing his former teammates, Chase Silseth fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out two in an eventual one-run loss.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Preserving a combined shutout, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and struck out one on 14 pitches (64.3% Strike Rate) with one whiff at the top of the ninth against the Mets. It was a non-save appearance, but he has been scoreless in back-to-back games.
- Dylan Lee notched his MLB-leading 27th hold, working a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Didier Fuentes tossed a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout, securing his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Provided a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Emilio Pagán retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the White Sox, shutting the door on his 14th save. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. His scoreless streak reached nine games, and he has converted seven saves while collecting two wins in it, posting a 0.44 WHIP with 11 strikeouts (34.4 K-BB%) across nine innings.
- Brock Burke tossed a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two and collecting his fifth win.
- Tejay Antone allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Pierce Johnson worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
- Luis Mey logged two clean frames and struck out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Colorado Rockies – Closing out his team’s one-run lead in Arizona, Jordan Romano secured his 11th save of the season with a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He worked around Nolan Arenado’s one-out single with a flyout and a game-ending strikeout, throwing 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8% Strike Rate) with one whiff. After allowing at least a run in his first two games this month, he has responded with back-to-back scoreless appearances and converted three of four save chances.
- Brennan Bernardino fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his ninth hold.
- Jimmy Herget allowed a hit in the seventh, notching his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Juan Mejia | Brennan Bernardino
Miami Marlins – Nailing down his 18th save, Pete Fairbanks fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a combined shutout of the Pirates. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last seven appearances, posting a 0.429 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two walks (33.3 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Michael Petersen allowed a hit and struck out two in the eighth, securing his 19th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
St. Louis Cardinals – Nailing down his 30th save, Riley O’Brien reached the 30-save mark for the first time in his career, preserving a combined shutout and striking out one at the top of the ninth against the Phillies. He threw eight pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He’s riding an eight-game scoreless streak, posting a 0.75 WHIP despite issuing five walks while striking out eight over his last eight innings, converting five saves.
- Ryne Stanek completed a “Houdini,” stranding all three inherited runners at the top of the eighth, with a double-play groundout and an inning-ending flyout.
- Caleb Ferguson made the mess, issuing three walks without recording an out in the eighth.
- George Soriano collected his sixth win, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in the seventh, ahead of the game’s first run scored at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | George Soriano | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: As the first reliever in during a tied game in the seventh, Kevin Ginkel suffered his fourth loss. He allowed Hunter Goodman’s leadoff triple and a go-ahead sacrifice fly, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Entering a scoreless tie at the bottom of the seventh, Alex McFarlane issued a leadoff walk, followed by a stolen base and a two-out RBI single by Masyn Winn, resulting in his first loss.
Rehab Recap
Arizona Diamondbacks – In his first outing at Triple-A, Justin Martinez recorded two strikeouts in a clean appearance. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%):
Obviously the team will manage his rehab outings and workload upon his return closely, but he should be considered the team’s preferred option once he’s activated.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: