Wednesday’s slate resulted in 12 wins (one accompanied by a blown save), five saves, nine losses, and seven blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,080 saves this season by 241 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save. Is 250 within reach?
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.3.2026
- Michael Petersen (MIA): Faucher has pitched in two straight games and in three of the previous four.
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Kittredge and Garcia have pitched in two of the last three and in three of the last five days.
- Aaron Civale (CHC): Webb will be down with swelling in his forearm, Palencia and Thielbar have worked in back-to-back games, and this bullpen is running on fumes.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.4.2026
- Tyler Wells (TB): If Baker is used today, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Luis Gastelum (STL): If O’Brien pitches today, it’s back-to-back outings.
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Sealing a 1-0 win over the Phillies while facing the top of the lineup, Juan Morillo recorded his third save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner, walking Bryce Harper, then inducing a game-ending groundout by Luis Arraez. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and generated four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to 17 games, during which he owns a 0.941 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and six walks (18.2 K-BB%) across 17 innings. He has recorded a save in two of his last four games.
- Jonathan Loáisiga retired the side at the top of the eighth and collected his sixth win courtesy of a go-ahead home run at the bottom of the inning.
- Brandyn Garcia allowed a hit and struck out two in the sixth, matching up with the 3-4-5-6 batters.
Over the last two weeks, Morillo has had two of the team’s three saves and has emerged as the preferred save-share in September. He may have games where he’s used before the ninth, but one more traditional save appearance and the shared label will be removed.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
More turmoil for the Cubs’ relievers: Another turbulent evening for this beleaguered bullpen took a turn for the worse when Jacob Webb allowed a hit at the top of the ninth, then had a comebacker hit his forearm, followed by his errant throw putting runners on second and third before leaving with the trainer. He was charged with two earned runs during his one-third of an inning. Colin Rea let both inherited runners score while giving up two hits during his two-thirds of the ninth inning. Caleb Thielbar worked a clean eighth, striking out two. Daniel Palencia gave up two hits and an earned run in the seventh. He’s allowed at least a run in four consecutive appearances. Ryan Rolison stranded the bases loaded in the fifth and retired all five batters, one via strikeout.
After the game, there was encouraging news regarding Webb:
For the bad news, the team’s Win Probability Added results over the last 30 days:
When the second-ranked reliever on this chart is currently in Triple-A, the options are thin during high-leverage events. Time is running short to dial this unit in. Shelby Miller may help, plus Edward Cabrera will return as a reliever. Expect some turnover in the hierarchy as September progresses.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Daniel Palencia | Ryan Rolison
Stairway to struggles: It was an avalanche against Luke Murphy at the top of the tenth. He allowed five hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk with one strikeout in his two-thirds of an inning, suffering his second loss. Blake Weiman recorded the last out of the inning, stranding two runners. Ben Joyce kept the game tied with a clean top of the ninth, retiring the Yankees’ 3-4-5 hitters and recording one strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has not posted a save since August 18. Ryan Watson worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Saves and opportunities for them can come in bunches, but it’s tough cashing them in when a closer cannot work on consecutive days. Especially when the leverage ladder leading toward him is thin. Under new ownership, constructing a better bullpen should be among the priorities for next season.
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Not-so-great Scott: At the top of the tenth, Brock Stewart allowed consecutive hits upon entry, followed by a two-RBI double by Joshua Báez, before retiring the Cardinals’ 2-3-4 hitters, resulting in his second loss. Jack Dreyer tossed a clean ninth, keeping the game tied. Tanner Scott suffered his third blown save, giving up a leadoff double by Báez, a groundout, and a sacrifice fly during the bottom of the eighth. He has allowed a run in three of his last four appearances.
In these games, Scott’s 7.36 ERA is accompanied by a 2.28 FIP and a .385 BABIP. There are small samples of regression over the course of the season; unfortunately, it has coincided with his team’s recent struggles, making it more difficult.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, Grant Wolfram allowed a leadoff RBI single by TJ Rumfield, then recorded consecutive strikeouts. However, Adael Amador launched a ground-rule double, followed by Brett Sullivan’s walk-off, two-RBI single, handing Wolfram his third loss and a first blown save.
- Alex Hoppe stranded an inherited runner in the tenth, issuing an intentional walk (Jake McCarthy) and recording a strikeout during two-thirds of an inning.
- Josh Walker stranded a runner at the bottom of the ninth and retired a batter in the tenth, but left with a runner on and one out.
- Andrew Kittredge could not preserve a one-run lead, suffering his fifth blown save, giving up Cole Carigg’s two-out double, followed by Zac Veen’s game-tying RBI double, prompting his removal.
- Yennier Cano notched his 13th hold, retiring his only batter in the eighth.
- Rico Garcia stranded a runner in the seventh and gave up a hit in the eighth, finishing with a scoreless combined inning and his 18th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
Detroit Tigers – Despite letting the game-tying run score at the bottom of the 11th, resulting in his ninth blown save, Kyle Finnegan collected his third win, working a scoreless bottom of the 12th and sealing a five-run lead. He finished with two hits and an unearned run while striking out three.
- Jacob Waguespack stranded a runner at the bottom of the ninth and worked a scoreless tenth, walking one and striking out one over 1.1 innings.
- Tyler Holton stranded two runners in the eighth, recording an out and giving up a hit while retiring two batters in the ninth.
- Kenley Jansen took over with the bases loaded and one out at the bottom of the eighth, walking in a run, then giving up a game-tying two-RBI single by Royce Lewis, followed by a strikeout and his removal from the game, tagging him with his sixth blown save.
- Drew Sommers was awarded his 11th hold but gave up two hits and hit a batter; all three runners eventually scored, putting three earned runs on his ledger during his one-third of the eighth.
- Tyler Kinley notched his 12th hold, stranding two runners in the sixth and retiring all four batters, two via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Houston Astros – Slamming the door on his 22nd save and sealing a combined shutout, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout against the White Sox. He threw 14 pitches (57.1% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to 19 games, during which he’s posted a minuscule 0.40 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and three walks (26.5 K-BB%), converting all 12 save chances while logging 20 innings.
- A.J. Blubaugh pulled a “Houdini,” working around two hits and a walk at the top of the eighth, then collected his fifth win courtesy of a go-ahead rally at the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Minnesota Twins – Called on at the top of the 11th, Tommy Nance stranded two runners, retiring his only batter on a flyout, but his outing went off the rails in the 12th. He finished with three hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk while striking out one across 1.1 innings, resulting in his third loss.
- Taylor Rogers allowed a hit, an unearned run, and a walk with a strikeout in two-thirds of the 11th.
- Yoendrys Gómez worked 1.2 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- A.J. Minter tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Jeff Hoffman fired a clean seventh, striking out the side on 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate), racking up six whiffs (50 SwStr%).
Updated Hierarchy: Yoendrys Gómez | Jeff Hoffman | A.J. Minter
New York Yankees – Preserving a tied score at the bottom of the ninth, David Bednar allowed Mike Trout’s two-out single and recorded all three outs via strikeout, then collected his seventh win courtesy of a five-run rally at the top of the tenth. He threw 20 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (25 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in five of his last six appearances.
- Michael Fulmer gave up two runs, one earned, on a two-run home run by Moises Ballesteros, and recorded a strikeout during the bottom of the tenth, closing out an eventual three-run margin.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: After stranding a runner in the sixth and tossing a scoreless bottom of the seventh, Sean Newcomb suffered his fourth loss. At the bottom of the eighth, he gave up a one-out single by Yordan Alvarez, followed by a walk and a hit-by-pitch (Jose Altuve) to load the bases, and with two outs, Nelson Velázquez produced a two-RBI single. Newcomb finished with two hits, two earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out two across two innings.
- Kansas City Royals: Turning a lead into a deficit, Jose Cuas allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and a walk while recording one out at the top of the sixth against Miami, resulting in his first loss and a first blown save. Connor Thomas let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth inning.
- Seattle Mariners: Benefiting from Boston’s scorer’s decision, Cooper Criswell was awarded his third win after retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth, finishing off a five-run lead. Seranthony Domínguez worked a clean eighth, throwing seven pitches.
- Tampa Bay Rays: In an eventual loss, Bryan Baker navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless top of the ninth against the Mets. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Completing a combined shutout of the Nationals, Victor Mederos retired the side and struck out one at the bottom of the ninth.
- Didier Fuentes allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts, throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) with two whiffs.
- Elieser Hernández collected his second win, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one across three innings. He has made three appearances this season and recorded two wins and a save in them.
- Dylan Dodd issued a walk and struck out one in the fourth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Closing out a four-run lead over the Padres, Emilio Pagán fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while facing the bottom third of the lineup. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. This snapped a two-game streak of allowing a run and represents his first clean appearance since August 14. He’s converted 20 of 23 save chances through his 37 games this season.
- Tony Santillan worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- Tejay Antone notched his ninth hold, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts in the seventh.
- Pierce Johnson stranded two runners and retired both batters in the sixth, one on a strikeout, securing his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Luis Mey
Miami Marlins – Securing his third save while preserving a three-run lead, Calvin Faucher retired the side while facing the Royals’ 4-5-6 batters. He threw six pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. It’s his first save since August 22, and he moved his modest scoreless streak to four games.
- Michael Petersen fired a clean bottom of the eighth against the top of the lineup, throwing nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and producing two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) while striking out one for his 23rd hold.
- Jack Ralston tossed a clean seventh, notching his second hold.
- Josh Ekness issued three walks and struck out one, facing one batter in the seventh for his second hold over his one-plus innings.
- Cade Gibson stranded two runners and struck out his only batter, resulting in his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Michael Petersen | Josh Ekness
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Summoned at the bottom of the fourth, Dedniel Núñez stranded a runner and retired all four batters faced, striking out one. He collected his first win as a result, throwing 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and inducing one whiff. This outing extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s allowed one baserunner on a hit and recorded six strikeouts (30 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings.
- Nate Lavender notched his eighth hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.
- Daniel Duarte tossed 1.1 clean innings, striking out one.
- Jonathan Pintaro closed out the six-run lead with a clean ninth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
San Francisco Giants – Taking over with a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Dylan Smith let the courtesy runner score on a leadoff single by Nick Gonzales, then retired the next three Pirates batters, two via strikeout, capping a one-run lead for his fourth save. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). It’s his first save since August 19, and he moved his modest scoreless streak to three.
- Jason Foley navigated around a hit and a walk at the bottom of the ninth, keeping the game tied, and collected his second win after the two-run rally at the top of the tenth.
- Carson Seymour suffered his first blown save, allowing one of two inherited runners to score in the seventh. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and a strikeout over 1.2 innings.
- Ryan Walker stranded two runners in the sixth, then departed after recording an out in the seventh while yielding a hit and a walk. He was credited with his fifth hold.
- Reiver Sanmartin gave up a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the sixth for his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Smith | *Carson Seymour | Jason Foley
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Provided a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Riley O’Brien had the courtesy runner advance to third on a passed ball during a strikeout against Shohei Ohtani, and allowed an unearned run on a groundout, then retired Mookie Betts on a game-ending flyout, securing his 35th save. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
- Justin Bruihl earned his first win, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless bottom of the ninth, ahead of his team’s three-run top of the tenth.
- Luis Gastelum preserved the tie, walking and striking out one at the bottom of the eighth while facing the Dodgers’ 3-4-5 hitters.
- Ryne Stanek gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh.
- George Soriano allowed three hits and two earned runs in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | Luis Gastelum
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Although Blas Castaño allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) at the top of the 11th, he collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. Nick Frasso retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the 10th. Jaden Hill worked a clean ninth when his team trailed by one. Jimmy Herget stranded two inherited runners at the top of the seventh, walking and striking out one across 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Entering a scoreless game at the bottom of the eighth, Jonathan Bowlan allowed James McCann’s solo home run and recorded two strikeouts, resulting in his second loss.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Camilo Doval recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, intentionally walked Rafael Devers, then gave up an RBI double by Bryce Eldridge, followed by a sacrifice fly, resulting in his second loss, yielding two runs (one earned) in his outing. Carmen Mlodzinski logged three clean frames, striking out two.
- Washington Nationals: As the first reliever in, Riley Cornelio suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out three in his 2.2 innings.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: