June 19, 2016
St. Louis Cardinals — Trevor Rosenthal entered the game yesterday to try and protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, and he left with the bases loaded and no outs. Kevin Siegrist relieved Rosenthal and allowed two of those inherited runners to score. Rosenthal didn’t technically receive a blown save yesterday since he left with the Cardinals still in the lead, but he was credited with the loss. Rosenthal has given up runs in three of his past four appearances, and has given up seven baserunners while only recording one out in his last two outings. Siegrist and Seung Hwan Oh have been pitching well so there has to be questions as to whether Rosenthal will continue to get the call in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Rosenthal | Siegrist | Oh.
San Francisco Giants — With closer Santiago Casilla out on paternity leave, Cory Gearrin picked up his second save of the season. Hunter Strickland pitched the eighth inning and got the win. Gearrin should continue to see save chances while Casilla is out, but the Giants may have another option soon. Sergio Romo struck out Yasiel Puig on Friday night during a rehab assignment for both players, and could return during their next homestand.
Hierarchy remains: Casilla | Gearrin | Strickland.
Houston Astros — With Will Harris unavailable yesterday, the Astros went with Ken Giles in the ninth. Unfortunately Giles was unable to hold the lead as he gave up two runs to tie the game. Luke Gregerson struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning, and could challenge Giles for the role of backup closer when Harris can’t go in the future.
Hierarchy remains: Harris | Giles | Gregerson.
Texas Rangers — Jake Diekman pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts yesterday to record his second save of the season. Sam Dyson was given the day off after pitching in three of the previous four days.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Diekman | Bush.
Atlanta Braves — As we expected, Arodys Vizcaino got the day off on Saturday, and veteran Jim Johnson recorded the save with a scoreless ninth inning. Johnson should continue to serve as closer whenever Vizcaino is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Vizcaino | Johnson | Cervenka.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Andrew Miller, New York Yankees – Aroldis Chapman threw 28 pitches yesterday and has appeared in three of the past four.
2. Cory Gearrin, San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla is on paternity leave.
3. Addison Reed, New York Mets – Jeurys Familia has pitched in three of the past four.
