September 14, 2016
San Francisco Giants – Hunter Strickland was summoned for the 9th inning on Tuesday, but the newest committee head failed to pick up his second straight save. Instead, three hits, a walk and an RBI ground out cut a 4-1 lead to 4-3. Lefty Steven Okert came in to face left-handed Ryan Schimpf, and Schimpf promptly hit a home run to give San Diego the lead. After the game, Bruce Bochy blamed “bad luck” and reaffirmed his confidence in Strickland. However confident Bochy may still be in Strickland, Derek Law is due back on Wednesday and should immediately challenge for save chances following one low-leverage outing. Meanwhile, poor Sergio Romo hasn’t seen a save chance all year and who knows if he will in this crowded committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Strickland | Law | Romo.
* = closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers — The Rangers erased a one-run deficit in the top of the 9th, paving the way for Tanner Scheppers to grab his first save since Aug. 6, 2013. Scheppers has been stupendous since returning to the Rangers’ bullpen on Sept. 7, retiring all seven batters he has faced in four appearances. It’s a crowded bullpen in Texas at the moment, but Scheppers is making a case to move into the hierarchy as the postseason approaches.
Hierarchy remains: Dyson | Bush | Diekman.
New York Mets — After the Mets regained a lead previously blown by Jeurys Familia, Fernando Salas got the first two outs of the 10th inning. With lefty Daniel Murphy at the plate, Terry Collins called upon LOOGY Jerry Blevins for the final out. Blevins struck Murphy out and picked up his first save since Sept. 11, 2012.
Hierarchy remains: Familia | Reed | Salas.
St. Louis Cardinals — Seung Hwan Oh has been battling a groin problem and was unavailable on Tuesday, paving the way for Kevin Siegrist to collect a save. Oh should be back on Wednesday, but if he isn’t then Siegrist should see the 9th once again.
Hierarchy remains: Oh | Siegrist | Bowman.
San Diego Padres – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Brandon Maurer did indeed get a day off, but so did Ryan Buchter, which left Kevin Quackenbush to pick up the save after the Padres erased a 4-1 ninth-inning deficit. Brad Hand had thrown in four straight games, but he didn’t pitch a full inning in any of those outings. We’ll move Quackenbush back into the hierarchy for now, but don’t be surprised if Hand gets some more late-inning chances.
Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Buchter | Quackenbush.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Matt Koch made his major league debut on Sept. 9. He needed just one more appearance to pick up his first career save, a four-inning gem in which he allowed just two hits while striking out four Rockies in an 11-4 victory.
Hierarchy remains: *Hudson | Delgado | Barrett.
* = closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins — In case you didn’t get enough Trevor May news, he’s now out for the season due to a back problem. No word yet if his fingers will hurt due to the forthcoming landscaping duty.
Hierarchy remains: Kintzler | Pressly | Rogers.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Luke Gregerson, Houston Astros – Ken Giles has thrown 42 pitches in three innings over the past two days, including a blown save on Tuesday. Gregerson and Will Harris have also pitched in back-to-back games, but Gregerson has thrown the fewest pitches among the trio.
