Wednesday’s slate yielded eight saves, but three were of the ancillary variety. Two relievers closed out their 10th save of the season. Clay Holmes worked a multiple-inning save in Baltimore while Kyle Finnegan fired a clean ninth in Texas. These high-leverage events, and the rest of interest, covered next in our daily installment of Monkey Bytes, with the Closer CliffsNotes leading off for those working under time constraints.
Closer CliffsNotes from May 1
American League
(RP | CWS): Suffering his first loss, and second blown save, Dominic Leone gave up two hits and two earned runs over two-thirds innings.
(RP | CLE): Shutting the door on his ninth save, Emmanuel Clase fired a clean bottom of the tenth, stranding the “place” runner, and striking out one, preserving a one-run win in Houston.
(RP | DET): Not only did Alex Lange strand an inherited runner in the top of the eighth, he returned for the ninth, securing his second save while tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out two.
(RP | HOU): Taking over in the top of the tenth, Shawn Dubin suffered his first loss, allowing a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out one.
(RP | NYY): Locking down his 10th save, Clay Holmes turned in 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out three, preserving a combined shutout in Baltimore.
(RP | OAK): Appearing on consecutive days for the second time this season, Mason Miller preserved a combined shutout, in a non-save capacity, firing a clean top of the ninth and recording one strikeout.
National League
(RP | ATL): Working into, then out of trouble, Raisel Iglesias closed out his eighth save, navigating around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth in Seattle.
(RP | CHC): Save number five for Héctor Neris, navigating around a hit batter and a double with a game-ending double play on a flyout and a runner thrown out at home against the Mets.
(RP | CIN): Losing his eight-game scoreless streak, Fernando Cruz suffered his second loss, giving up a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh against the Padres.
(RP | MIA): Rookie Anthony Maldonado recorded his first major league save, firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out one against the Rockies.
(RP | PHI): With pin the tail on the ninth inning landing on Gregory Soto, he responded by securing his second save, working around two hits, and striking out one, preserving a one-run win over the Angels.
(RP | SDP): Bouncing back during a high-leverage spot, Enyel De Los Santos collected his first win, stranding two runners while striking out his only batter faced (Luke Maile) in the seventh, ahead of his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the frame.
(RP | WSH): Preserving a 1-0 win in Texas, Kyle Finnegan recorded his 10th save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out the side.
Game Recaps from May 1 – American League
Cleveland Guardians – Retiring the side in the bottom of the tenth, and stranding the “place” runner, Emmanuel Clase recorded his ninth save, preserving a one-run win in Houston. He threw five pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff (20 SwStr%) while striking out one in his outing. He owns a 0.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against one walk over 16.1 innings and converted nine of 11 save chances. Cade Smith collected his first win, retiring both batters faced in the ninth, stranding a runner. Tim Herrin worked two-thirds scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit. Scott Barlow tossed two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, allowing a hit.
Updated hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow / Nick Sandlin
Chicago White Sox – Another rough day for the leverage ladder. Steven Wilson was credited with his fourth hold despite allowing two unearned runs and issuing three walks over two-thirds of the sixth. Dominic Leone suffered his first loss, and second blown save, giving up two earned runs and two walks while striking out two over two-thirds combined innings. Tim Hill let both inherited runners score, yielding two hits during two-thirds scoreless. Tanner Banks gave up two earned runs on three hits and recorded a strikeout over 1.1 innings. John Brebbia also permitted both inherited runners to score on three hits putting two earned runs on his ledger and striking out one in two-thirds of the ninth.
Hierarchy remains (for now): *Michael Kopech | *Steven Wilson | John Brebbia
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – After taking over in the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Alex Lange quelled the threat, striking out Willson Contreras. Lange returned for the ninth and worked around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt with a game-ending strikeout of Alec Burleson. During his 1.1 scoreless frames, he threw 24 pitches (58.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless over his last seven outings, spanning 7.2 innings with nine strikeouts against two walks and a 0.52 WHIP. Joey Wentz was awarded his first hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in a combined scoreless inning of relief. Will Vest gave up two hits during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh. (Jason Foley had appeared in three of the previous four days).
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
Houston Astros – Entering a tied game in the top of the eighth, Rafael Montero worked around a hit with a scoreless outing. Ryan Pressly tossed a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out three. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). Shawn Dubin suffered his first loss, giving up a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out one in the top of the tenth.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
New York Yankees – Forced into an extended outing, Clay Holmes responded, recording his first five-out save of the season, and third of his career, closing out a combined shutout in Baltimore. He allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts, throwing 23 pitches (20 strikes – 87 Strike%) and producing four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%) while securing his 10th save. He also owns an 11-game scoreless streak with 15 strikeouts versus one walk over his last 10.2 innings. Ian Hamilton gets credit for his fifth hold, issuing a walk and hitting a batter over one-third of the eighth before his removal. Caleb Ferguson stranded a runner in the seventh, striking out both batters faced for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González
Oakland A’s – While warming for a potential save chance, his teammates tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth. But, Mason Miller turned in a clean top of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout in a non-save outing. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff while striking out one. He’s been scoreless in his last 11 appearances with 28 strikeouts against three walks over 13.1 innings. Michael Kelly retired his only batter in the eighth, recording his first hold and stranding two runners. Dany Jiménez walked two over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
Game Recaps from May 1 – National League
Atlanta Braves – Despite allowing a lead-off walk and a hit in the bottom of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias bore down, retiring the next three batters on two flyouts and a game-ending comebacker, securing his eighth save. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s posted a 1.05 WHIP with nine strikeouts through his first 12.1 innings. Joe Jiménez turned in a clean eighth for his eighth hold. A.J. Minter worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless one-third of the seventh, notching his fourth hold and stranding a runner.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Chicago Cubs – Securing his fifth save, Héctor Neris worked about a hit batter and a double for a scoreless ninth, preserving a 1-0 win, courtesy of a game-ending double play flyout with the runner thrown out at home. Neris threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) without getting a whiff. He’s converted five straight saves over his last five appearances despite a 1.40 WHIP with four strikeouts against four walks across five innings. Yency Almonte stranded two runners, striking out both batters faced in the eighth for his sixth hold. Mark Leiter Jr. was credited with his sixth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Adbert Alzolay
Cincinnati Reds – Rough outing alert for Fernando Cruz. He suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, including a go-ahead grand slam by Jake Cronenworth, and a walk with a strikeout during his one-third of the seventh. Brent Suter took over, recording 1.2 scoreless frames and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz / Lucas Sims
Miami Marlins – Handed a three-run lead in the top of the ninth, Anthony Maldonado retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his first career major league save. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Tanner Scott stranded a runner in the eighth, appearing for a third straight game despite issuing a walk. Bryan Hoeing secured his second hold, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames and yielding a hit.
Updated hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Andrew Nardi | Anthony Maldonado
Philadelphia Phillies – Running the “floating closer” concept, Rob Thomson pulled the strings while finishing a one-run win over the Angels. Gregory Soto navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth, notching his second save. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%). José Alvarado held on for his second hold, working around three hits, and benefited from a caught stealing, erasing a baserunner while throwing 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). Orion Kerkering tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two for his first hold. Matt Strahm fired a clean sixth while striking out two, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Making a non-save appearance, Robert Suarez retired the side in the ninth, closing out a four-run win over the Reds, throwing 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s riding a 10-game scoreless streak, converting all seven save chances with six strikeouts against two walks over 9.2 innings. Wandy Peralta turned in a clean eighth. Enyel De Los Santos collected his first win, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter faced (Luke Maile) via strikeout. Yuki Matsui issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Yuki Matsui | Enyel De Los Santos
Washington Nationals – Nailing down his 10th save, Kyle Finnegan fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side while preserving a 1-0 win in Texas. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He owns an eight-game scoreless streak, converting all six save chances with nine strikeouts against one walk through eight innings. Hunter Harvey stranded a runner and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two for his 10th hold. Dylan Floro worked two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, issuing a walk for his fourth hold.
Updated hierarchy: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Options for May 2
CLE: With the bullpen overworked after four straight extra-inning contests, a save chance today could fall upon Nick Sandlin, for those seeking a save on this six-game slate.
MIA: Tanner Scott’s now appeared in three straight, so it will either be Andrew Nardi or Anthony Maldonado for the save if provided this afternoon.
NYY: If the Yankees prefer giving Holmes the day off after logging a five-out save, they’ve preferred Victor González for the vulture save chances. If Holmes pitches, this will repeat for tomorrow’s slate.
Vulture Save Options for May 3
CHC: If Neris pitches on Thursday, it will be appearances on consecutive days, and three of the last four, placing Keegan Thompson on the radar for a multi-inning save chance on Friday.
WSH: If they use Finnegan and Harvey on Thursday, they should receive Friday off. If Floro does not pitch, he’s the vulture save choice, if he does, pivot to Matt Barnes and pray.
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Kyle Finnegan, striking out the side in Texas, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Since tomorrow’s post will be light, April leaderboards will be covered in this post. Stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.
