June 28, 2017
Tampa Bay Rays — After Alex Colome suffered his second straight rough outing, Tommy Hunter nabbed his first save since 2015 by pitching a scoreless 10th inning. The save, coupled with a solid five-out hold on Sunday, has bumped Hunter into the hierarchy for the time being. As for Colome, after the game manager Kevin Cash said he’s not going to read much into his closer’s recent struggles. Help is on the way, however, as Brad Boxberger may be activated as early as today after what should have been his final rehab outing on Tuesday. Cash mentioned that Boxberger and Erasmo Ramirez could both see some high-leverage spots ahead of Colome, though Hunter, Jumbo Diaz and Danny Farquhar will likely be in the mix too.
Updated hierarchy: Colome | Farquhar | Hunter.
Detroit Tigers — Old friend and former “closer of the future” Bruce Rondon struck out two en route to an eighth-inning hold ahead of Justin Wilson on Tuesday. After showing up to spring training overweight, Rondon has done well to work his way back from AAA and it will be interesting to see if he actually makes the most of yet another chance in Detroit.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Andrew Miller – Cody Allen has pitched in two straight games and three of the last four.
Tomorrow
1. Andrew Miller – If Allen pitches today, he most certainly won’t get the ball on Thursday.
2. Arodys Vizcaino – Jim Johnson needed 22 pitches on Tuesday. If he has a lengthy appearance Wednesday, that may mean he gets Thursday off.
3. Darren O’Day – If Brad Brach pitches Wednesday that will be two straight and three of four.
4. Danny Farquhar – Alex Colome needed 25 pitches on Tuesday. Another lengthy outing Wednesday, which would be his third in four days, could mean that Farquhar or any of the other mediocre options in the Rays’ bullpen will see a save chance on Thursday.
