August 16, 2023
Washington Nationals – Hunter Harvey returned from the IL on Tuesday, pitching a perfect ninth inning with the Nationals trailing by a run. Manager Davey Martinez said that Kyle Finnegan will remain as the team’s closer while Harvey slots into a setup role.
Updated hierarchy: Finnegan | Harvey | Weems.
Toronto Blue Jays – Jordan Romano was also activated from the IL on Tuesday and immediately returned to the closer’s role, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning to seal a 2-1 victory.
Updated hierarchy: Romano | Hicks | Swanson.
Seattle Mariners – The Mariners called upon Andres Muñoz to record the final five outs on Tuesday, but after a clean eighth inning, he promptly blew a three-run lead in the ninth. When Seattle went back on top in the 10th, Tayler Saucedo needed just six pitches to earn his first MLB save. Muñoz has allowed a run in each of his last three appearances, but only one of those runs has been earned.
Hierarchy remains: Muñoz | Brash | Topa.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Ryan Yarbrough entered the seventh inning with a 6-1 lead and gave up a home run to the first batter he faced. That was his only blemish, however, as he retired the next nine hitters in a row to earn his first MLB save.
Hierarchy remains: Phillips | Graterol | Ferguson.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Matt Brash (SEA) – Andres Muñoz threw 42 pitches on Tuesday while Brash had the night off.
2. Daniel Bard (COL) – Justin Lawrence has gone back-to-back, including last night’s 21-pitch blown save.
3. Scott McGough (ARI) – Both Paul Sewald and Kevin Ginkel have gone in three of four.
Tomorrow
1. Chris Martin/Josh Winckowski (BOS) – If Martin or closer Kenley Jansen pitch today, that’s two straight and three of four.
2. Trevor Stephan/Enyel De Los Santos (CLE) – If Emmanuel Clase goes today that will be two in a row, which is also true of both Stephan and De Los Santos.
3. Matt Brash (SEA) – Andres Muñoz may need two days off after Tuesday’s 42-pitch outing.
4. Kevin Ginkel/Scott McGough (ARI) – If Paul Sewald does pitch today, that will be two straight and four of five. Same will be true of Ginkel.
