Friday’s 16-game slate resulted in seven wins, 11 saves, five losses, and five blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,096 saves this season by 242 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 9.5.2026
- Erik Miller (BOS): Chapman and Whitlock have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Luke Weaver (PIT): Montgomery has appeared in two straight games and in three of the previous four.
- Adrian Morejon (SD): Miller logged two innings last night.
- Tyler Wells (TB): Baker left his outing with an illness last night and may not be available.
- Ryne Stanek (STL): O’Brien has worked in three straight games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.6.2026
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): If Smith pitches today, it will be consecutive outings, though he has worked in three straight this season.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader is used today, it’s consecutive contests and will be three in the last four days.
In case you missed them, sneak previews of potential closer options for both leagues have been posted:
2027 Potential Closers | American League
2027 Potential Closers | National League
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Nailing down his 23rd save while striking out the side, Josh Hader closed out a two-run lead over Arizona. This also marked the 250th save of his career, covered by Brian McTaggert of MLB.com:
He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% strike rate) and racked up five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). Moving his scoreless streak to 20 contests, he’s recorded a win while converting all 13 save chances and posting a 0.381 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against three walks (29.6 K-BB%) over 21 innings.
- Bryan Abreu logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and stranding two runners at the top of the seventh, securing his 13th hold.
- Bennett Sousa stranded two in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, walking and striking out two for his eighth hold.
- Enyel De Los Santos was credited with his tenth hold despite giving up a hit and a walk during one-third of the sixth inning.
Before this game, Steven Okert landed on the injured list, causing a slight tweak in the team’s hierarchy.
Updated Hierarchy: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Today’s Takeaways
Romano takes the loss: Taking over with a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Jordan Romano issued Thomas Saggese a leadoff walk, a leverage mortal sin. With one out, José Fermin reached on a throwing error, then Iván Herrera launched a go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in Romano’s third loss and fourth blown save. He finished with a hit, three runs (two earned), and a walk, snapping his nine-game scoreless streak. Brennan Bernardino stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the eighth for his 12th hold. Jimmy Herget gave up a hit during two-thirds of the eighth, recording his tenth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
Blackburn served up a walk-off in San Diego: Staked to a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Paul Blackburn recorded an out, then allowed a walk-off, two-run home run by Luis Campusano, resulting in his third loss and a fourth blown save. David Bednar tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, giving up a one-out double by Ty France and recording an inning-ending strikeout against Austin Hays.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
J-Mart’s best outing so far: It was another outing during an eventual loss, but Justin Martinez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Astros’ 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
However, he has not been in a save situation through his first six appearances this season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Shutting the door on his 32nd save and preserving a 1-0 lead, Aroldis Chapman fired a clean bottom of the ninth in Baltimore, retiring the 4-5-6 pocket in order. He threw 11 pitches (54.5% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) while recording one strikeout. He’s now one save away from becoming only the ninth reliever with 400 saves in his career.
- Garrett Whitlock allowed a hit during a scoreless bottom of the eighth, notching his 24th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Chicago White Sox – Spoiling the combined shutout, Grant Taylor allowed Josh Bell’s leadoff home run and had to work around Royce Lewis’ one-out double and Walker Jenkins’ two-out walk with a game-ending flyout, closing out an eventual three-run margin. It’s only the second earned run he has allowed over his last 21 appearances and his first home run against since July 2.
- Bryan Hudson gave up a hit during a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Hagen Smith logged two scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – (Game 1) – Cade Smith garnered his fourth win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, yielding a hit and striking out two on a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. He threw 18 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). This was his first appearance of September, and he owns a modest, three-game scoreless streak.
- Erik Sabrowski tossed two clean innings and recorded a strikeout.
(Game 2) – Hunter Gaddis earned his third win on a walk-off at the bottom of the tenth after working two scoreless frames and recording two strikeouts.
- Daniel Espino also logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Detroit Tigers – (Game 1) – Drew Sommers retired the Guardians’ 6-7-8 hitters in order and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the eighth. Upon his return in the ninth, he gave up Brayan Rocchio’s walk-off home run, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Tyler Kinley tossed a clean seventh.
- Tyler Holton worked two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two.
(Game 2) – Kenley Jansen took over at the bottom of the ninth and retired the side while striking out two. Returning for the tenth, he recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt attempt, with the courtesy runner thrown out at third. But Brayan Rocchio stole second, and after Steven Kwan’s flyout, stole third, then scored on Travis Bazzana’s walk-off RBI single, handing Jansen his sixth loss.
- Jacob Waguespack suffered his first blown save, issuing a walk and serving up a game-tying two-run home run (Bazzana) in the eighth.
- Beau Brieske secured his first hold, retiring all four batters, three via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Tampa Bay Rays – Forced into action with two runners on and no outs at the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Wells recorded outs on a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly before inducing a game-ending pop-out, securing his sixth save while finishing off an eventual one-run margin. He threw seven pitches (71.4% strike rate) without a whiff. He has allowed one unearned run in his last six games and converted two saves, making him a candidate for more saves this weekend.
Bryan Baker issued back-to-back walks at the onset of the ninth, then left the game with the trainer. It’s being reported that an illness forced his removal.
- Kevin Kelly notched his 29th hold, tossing a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Cam Booser stranded a runner and retired both batters in the seventh for his tenth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Tyler Wells | Kevin Kelly
The Athletics – Sealing a one-run lead and his 15th save, Hogan Harris worked around Randy Arozarena’s one-out walk for a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3% strike rate) and produced two whiffs while recording one strikeout. He’s appeared in three consecutive games and secured a save in his last two.
- Elvis Alvarado gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk during the bottom of the eighth, but was credited with his ninth hold.
- Geoff Hartlieb stranded a runner in the sixth and retired all four batters faced, striking out one for his second hold.
- Brady Basso picked up his first win, tossing three scoreless innings, giving up three hits and a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Wrapping up an eventual seven-run victory over the Royals, Michael Lorenzen tossed three innings, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out two for his first save of the season and first since September 24, 2023. He threw 33 pitches (27 strikes – 81.8% strike rate) and recorded five whiffs (15.2 SwStr%).
- Brendon Little walked and struck out one during a scoreless sixth.
- Braydon Fisher worked a scoreless fifth while walking one batter.
- Joe Mantiply collected his second win, logging two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Mason Fluharty
Quick Hits
- Seattle Mariners: Deployed during an eventual one-run loss, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while facing the top of the A’s lineup. He threw nine pitches (66.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in both outings this month.
- Texas Rangers: As the bulk follower, Kumar Rocker suffered his 11th loss and his first blown save, allowing nine hits, six runs (five earned), and striking out three across five innings.
National League
Atlanta Braves – For the sixth time in his career, Raisel Iglesias has reached the 30-save plateau. He fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Phillies’ 5-6-7 hitters and recorded two strikeouts, securing a three-run lead. He threw 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s converted five saves.
- Didier Fuentes fired two clean innings, striking out one on 21 pitches (85.7% strike rate) with two whiffs for his 16th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Chicago Cubs – Logging three scoreless innings while giving up a hit and two walks while striking out three, Aaron Civale provided his teammates with much-needed rest and secured his second save, closing out a five-run margin in Miami. He threw 46 pitches (28 strikes – 60.9% strike rate) and only produced one whiff. However, he’s given up two unearned runs in his last six appearances, spanning 13.2 innings, recording a win and a save while posting a 0.878 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and six walks.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Daniel Palencia | Ryan Rolison
Los Angeles Dodgers – Pressed into action with two runners on and no outs, Jack Dreyer did let both inherited runners score, but retired his first two faced on a strikeout, followed by an RBI groundout, an RBI double by James Wood, and a game-ending flyout for his second save. He finished with a hit and a strikeout while throwing 15 pitches (60% strike rate) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
- Seth Halvorsen created the chaos, allowing three consecutive hits while spoiling the combined shutout, and was charged with three earned runs without recording an out.
- Tanner Scott stranded runners at second and third, inducing an inning-ending flyout against CJ Abrams in the eighth.
- Kyle Hurt had a batter reach on an error and gave up a double during his two-thirds of the eighth.
- Edgardo Henriquez fired a clean seventh, striking out two while lighting up the radar gun (he threw two pitches at or above 104 miles per hour).
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Milwaukee Brewers – Locking down his 26th save, Trevor Megill fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Reds, striking out the side. He threw 20 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (15 SwStr%). Not only has he converted his last 18 save opportunities, but he owns a 15-game scoreless streak, during which he owns a 0.457 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (20.8 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings.
- Aaron Ashby notched his 15th hold, walking one and striking out two during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Antonio Senzatela gave up two hits and an earned run in the seventh.
- Chad Patrick collected his eighth win, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out one over two scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – Despite allowing Mike Trout’s leadoff single, Mason Montgomery bore down, retiring the next three Angels in order, sealing a 1-0 win and his ninth save. He threw 21 pitches (16 strikes – 76.2% strike rate) and induced one whiff while striking out one. Extending his scoreless streak to 17 games, he has recorded three wins and seven saves over his last 16.1 innings, posting a 0.612 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and three walks (37.7 K-BB%).
- Wilber Dotel logged two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
San Diego Padres – Although Mason Miller let the courtesy runner score on a Spencer Jones’ RBI single leading off the tenth inning, he recorded a strikeout with a caught stealing, followed by an inning-ending strikeout, preventing any further damage. He finished with only one hit against and an unearned run while striking out four across his two innings, then collected his fifth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7% strike rate) and generated nine whiffs (40.9 SwStr%). It’s a blip, but he has allowed a run in his last three appearances.
- Adrian Morejon fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Bradgley Rodriguez worked a clean seventh while striking out one.
- Yuki Matsui tossed a scoreless sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
St. Louis Cardinals – Find someone to believe in you as much as Oli Marmol does in Riley O’Brien. Closing out a come-from-behind rally in Coors Field, he preserved a one-run lead while working around a two-out single with a scoreless ninth, securing his 36th save. He threw 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%), appearing in a third consecutive game in as many days. He had allowed at least a run in four of his previous five outings.
- Cade Winquest earned his first career win, logging 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Justin Bruihl let his only inherited runner score in the sixth, and an earned run on his ledger, followed by a solo home run in the seventh, finishing with three hits and two earned runs during his combined inning, resulting in his second blown save.
- Hancel Rincon made his major league debut, allowing three hits that resulted in three earned runs, but was credited with his first hold during one-third of the sixth inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | Luis Gastelum
Quick Hits
- Miami Marlins: Things turned at the top of the sixth. Jack Ralston only recorded one out and walked the bases loaded, resulting in his removal from the game. Josh Ekness let all three inherited runners score, giving up two hits and a walk during two-thirds of an inning.
- New York Mets: Although he warmed up for a save chance, Kodai Senga worked around a two-out walk for a scoreless top of the ninth, finishing off a four-run lead over the Giants. He threw 10 pitches (60% strike rate) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in 10 of 12 relief outings since the start of August, posting a 1.059 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and six walks (13 BB%). Robert Stock allowed a hit and retired one batter in the eighth for his first hold.
- Washington Nationals: Making his major league debut, Jack Sinclair retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Dodgers’ 5-6-7 hitters in an eventual loss.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: