September 16, 2015
Boston Red Sox – Manager Torey Lovullo announced after Tuesday’s game that Junichi Tazawa will be shut down for the remainder of the season, not based on a injury but rather his workload. For now, Alexi Ogando will slide into the hierarchy, though for Boston’s sake anybody else will pitch with a lead.
Updated hierarchy: *Ross | Machi | Ogando.
* = closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – As predicted in the Vulture Save Watch, a pooped Brad Boxberger got the night off, but it was Brandon Gomes who earned his first career save. Alex Colome pitched the 8th, but he faced the 3-4-5 hitters in the Yankees’ order. Colome is the man if Boxberger is unavailable, but by virtue of Tuesday’s save and Xavier Cedeno’s battle with left side tightness, Gomes slides into the Rays’ hierarchy..
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Colome | Gomes.
Los Angeles Angels — Huston Street was still fighting flu-like symptoms on Tuesday, so Joe Smith picked up the vulture save. Manager Mike Scioscia expects Street, who was ralphing in the bullpen on Sunday, to be back on Wednesday.
Hierarchy remains: Street | Smith | Gott.
Colorado Rockies — In a 16-inning affair that saw the Rockies use a major league record 13 pitchers, it was Gonzalez Germen who eventually got the save. He may not factor into Colorado’s late-inning plans, but he certainly factors into their late-late-inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Axford | Diaz | Miller.
Cincinnati Reds — After Aroldis Chapman was unable to secure a five-out save and the Reds reclaimed their lead in the 10th, Jumbo Diaz shut the door for his first career save. It was Chapman’s third blown save of the season, and his first after walking a pinch-hitting World Series MVP pitcher.
Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Hoover | Diaz.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Brad Brach/Brian Matusz, Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton and Darren O’Day have each pitched three straight days, and while Brach has pitched in back-to-back games, he may be more well-rested. If Buck Showalter, who is willing to do whatever it takes keep his team in the Wild Card race, wants to save Brach as well, someone like Brian Matusz may get a look.
2. J.J. Hoover, Cincinnati Reds – Aroldis Chapman threw 42 pitches on Tuesday.
3. Alex Wilson, Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon has hurled 35 pitches over the last two games.
