Another fantastic full-slate Friday provided a bevy of intriguing high-leverage events, especially with Craig Kimbrel recording his eighth save of the season, and 425th of his career while striking out the side in Cincinnati. He moved into a tie with Kenley Jansen for the fifth most saves all-time. Despite missing time with an oblique injury, Jhoan Durán nailed down his second save. Trevor Megill exacted some revenge, securing his second save against one of his former teams, closing out a come-from-behind win over the Cubs. Here are the condensed recaps from last night, followed by the full game recaps in today’s Monkey Bytes.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BAL): Not only did Craig Kimbrel display no signs of rust from his time off with an upper back issue, but he moved into a tie for fifth all-time on the career saves list firing a clean ninth and striking out the side versus the Reds for his eighth save this season (425th career save).
(RP | DET): A rough outing for Jason Foley. He could not preserve a one-run lead, suffering his first loss, and first blown save, giving up four hits and two earned runs without retiring a batter during a walk-off rally in the Bronx.
(RP | HOU): Securing his third save, Josh Hader issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, wrapping up a two-run win over Seattle.
(RP | KCR): Surviving a traffic-infused top of the seventh, John Schreiber collected his third win courtesy of a six-run rally in the bottom of the inning. He gave up two hits and two walks with one strikeout during a scoreless outing against Texas.
(RP | MIN): Handed a three-run lead, Jhoan Durán fired a clean top of the ninth, and recorded two strikeouts for his second save, extending his team’s win streak to 11.
(RP | NYY): Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Dennis Santana collected his second win after tossing a scoreless top of the ninth while walking one.
(RP | OAK): Hanging on for his second save, Lucas Erceg logged 1.1 innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out three against Miami.
(RP | TBR): Hanging on for his second save, Jason Adam allowed a solo home run and a double but finished a two-run win with a game-ending strikeout.
(RP | TEX): Suffering his first loss, Cole Winn allowed four hits and four earned runs during one-third of the seventh versus the Royals.
(RP | TOR): Another sideways outing for Erik Swanson. He suffered his second loss, and first blown save, allowing two hits, including a three-run, pinch-hit home run by Luis García Jr., and a walk without recording an out in the bottom of the seventh. He’s allowed at least a run in five of seven games this year, multiple runs in three, and owns a 2.80 WHIP through five innings.
National League
(RP | ATL): Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the 11th, Jesse Chavez suffered his first loss, allowing a walk-off single by Andy Pages, scoring the “place” runner.
(RP | CIN): During his outing in the seventh, Emilio Pagán suffered his second loss, giving up four hits and three earned runs over two-thirds of the seventh.
(RP | COL): After serving up a two-run home run by Oneil Cruz scoring an inherited runner, Jalen Beeks retired the next two batters via strikeout for his first save of the season.
(RP | LAD): After retiring the side against the top of Atlanta’s lineup, Michael Grove recorded his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the 11th.
(RP | MIL): Closing out a comeback win, Trevor Megill fired a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out one for his second save.
(RP | PHI): Recording his sixth save, José Alvarado navigated around a lead-off single by retiring the next three hitters, including a game-ending strikeout against the Giants.
(RP | STL): Becoming the first reliever with 11 saves, Ryan Helsley fired a clean top of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout against the White Sox.
(RP | WSH): After tossing a clean top of the seventh, Jacob Barnes collected his second win courtesy of his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the inning.
Game Recaps from May 2 – American League
Baltimore Orioles – Bouncing back from consecutive blown saves, Craig Kimbrel moved into a tie for fifth on the all-time list (425 saves with Kenley Jansen) by firing a clean ninth, striking out the side while closing out a 3-0 win over the Reds. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (25 SwStr%) during his eighth save. Danny Coulombe tossed a clean bottom of the eighth, securing his seventh hold. Yennier Cano stranded a runner and retired both batters faced in the seventh, notching his eighth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Detroit Tigers – All good streaks end, and on Friday night, Jason Foley suffered his first loss and his first blown save. In the ninth inning, he came in to pitch with a one-run lead. Unfortunately, he gave up a lead-off single to Aaron Judge, followed by a bunt single from Alex Verdugo. Giancarlo Stanton managed to hit an RBI single, and the game ended with a walk-off RBI hit by Anthony Rizzo. He allowed four hits and two earned runs without retiring a single batter. Over his last nine games, he owns a 1.93 WHIP with six strikeouts against five walks through 8.1 innings. Shelby Miller recorded his third hold, walking one during a scoreless eighth. Andrew Chafin stranded a runner while walking one over two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, securing his fifth hold. Alex Faedo turned in 1.1 scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out four for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
Houston Astros – Closing out his third save, Josh Hader tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out two. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and produced two whiffs. This marked his first save since April 19 and he’s allowed one earned run over his last five outings with 12 strikeouts against three walks over six innings. Ryan Pressly worked around two hits for a scoreless eighth, recording a strikeout and his fourth hold. Seth Martinez collected his second win, retiring the side in the seventh, ahead of his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the frame.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Minnesota Twins – Nailing down his team’s 11th consecutive win, and his second save of the season, Jhoan Durán fired a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s only made two appearances this season but has secured a save in each. Caleb Thielbar let both inherited runners score, allowing a double by Rafael Devers, and retired a batter in the eighth. Cole Sands gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a hit-batter while striking out one over two-thirds of the eighth. Griffin Jax notched his fifth hold, retiring the side in the seventh, all via strikeout, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
Oakland A’s – While recording his second save, Lucas Erceg stranded a runner in the eighth despite hitting a batter. He returned for the ninth, allowing consecutive two-out hits, including an RBI double by Vidal Bruján before inducing a game-ending ground out. In this outing, he gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out three. He threw 28 pitches (20 strikes – 71.4 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Michael Kelly was credited with his second hold, giving up a hit and a walk over two-thirds scoreless in the eighth. Austin Adams notched his eighth hold, retiring both batters in the seventh, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Dany Jiménez
Tampa Bay Rays – Despite allowing a one-out home run (Brett Baty) and a two-out double, Jason Adam secured his second save of the season with a game-ending strikeout of Starling Marte. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%) while giving up two hits in his outing. Kevin Kelly retired the side in the eighth for his second hold. Phil Maton notched his eighth hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one. Shawn Armstrong collected his first win, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, though he let his only inherited runner score, scattering two hits and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Adam | *Garrett Cleavinger | Phil Maton
*= closer-by-committee
Game Recaps from May 2 – National League
Atlanta Braves – With the bullpen running on fumes, Jesse Chavez took over the bottom of the 11th and suffered his first loss, giving up a walk-off, RBI single by Andy Pages, scoring the “place” runner. Raisel Iglesias was tagged with his second blown save, giving up an RBI single by Shohei Ohtani, scoring an unearned run in the tenth. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Joe Jiménez tossed a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and striking out one. A.J. Minter worked a scoreless eighth, issuing two walks and striking out one. Aaron Bummer turned in a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | A.J. Minter | Joe Jiménez
Cincinnati Reds – Entering in the top of the sixth, Fernando Cruz stranded two runners while striking out his only batter faced, Heston Kerjstad. Emilio Pagán took over, allowing four hits and three earned runs, including a two-run home run by Ryan O’Hearn, resulting in his second loss.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Fernando Cruz / Lucas Sims
Colorado Rockies – Although he let his only inherited runner score on a home run by Oneil Cruz, Jalen Beeks was credited with his first save while logging two-thirds of an inning in the bottom of the ninth. This represents his first save since May 31 last year. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (40 SwStr%). Jake Bird was credited with his third hold, issuing two walks resulting in an earned run and recording a strikeout over his two-thirds combined innings.
Hierarchy remains: Justin Lawrence | Jake Bird / Jalen Beeks
Los Angeles Dodgers – Courtesy of a walk-off rally, Michael Grove collected his first win of the season after retiring the side in the top of the 11th, stranding the “place” runner against Atlanta’s top of the lineup. Alex Vesia allowed an unearned run in the tenth and recorded a strikeout. Evan Phillips fired a clean ninth, striking out one on 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s given up two unearned runs over his last nine appearances while posting 11 strikeouts against three walks over nine innings. Daniel Hudson suffered his second consecutive blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Ronald Acuña Jr. in the top of the eighth. He’s allowed at least a run in four of his last six. Joe Kelly retired the side in the seventh, securing his eighth hold.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Evan Phillips | Daniel Hudson | Joe Kelly
Milwaukee Brewers – Finishing a come-from-behind win, Trevor Megill shut the door on his second save, firing a clean bottom of the ninth against the Cubs’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket, and striking out one. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). This represents his third straight game-finished, and second save in these outings, all scoreless with two strikeouts against zero walks. Joel Payamps notched his fourth hold, working a scoreless eighth, navigating around a one-out single by Nico Hoerner. He matched up with the 9-1-2-3 hitters and owns a nine-game scoreless streak but recorded his last save on April 24. Elvis Peguero collected his fourth win, tossing a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit, ahead of his team’s rally in the top of the eighth.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Trevor Megill | *Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Matched up with the 8-9-1 lineup pocket of the Giants, José Alvarado recorded his sixth save, working around a lead-off single by Thairo Estrada by retiring the next three batters, including a game-ending strikeout of Wilmer Flores. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in 13 of his last 14 games, converting all six save chances with 13 strikeouts against five walks over 13 innings. Jeff Hoffman fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and generating three whiffs (20 SwStr%). Orion Kerkering was credited with his second hold but gave up three hits and an earned run in the seventh. Seranthony Domínguez turned in a clean sixth and struck out one for his fourth hold. Matt Strahm earned his second win, tossing a clean fifth and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Preserving a combined shutout, and recording his MLB-leading 11th save, Ryan Helsley retired the side in the ninth on a tidy eight pitches (87.5 Strike%) without a whiff. He faced the White Sox 2-3-4 lineup pocket. He owns a 0.88 WHIP with 19 strikeouts against two walks through 17 innings. JoJo Romero secured his 11th hold, tossing a clean eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Taking over in the top of the seventh, Jacob Barnes collected his second win after retiring the side, and striking out one ahead of his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the frame. Hunter Harvey notched his MLB-leading 11th hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth. Dylan Floro tossed a clean top of the ninth, striking out one, finishing a six-run win.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Save Option for Saturday, May 4
PHI: With Alvarado pitching in three of the last four days, today lines up as Hoffman’s day, but if he also receives rest, Gregory Soto could be a sneaky play on this very limited slate for vulture or ancillary saves.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, May 5
ATL: Since the high-leverage triumvirate (Iglesias, Minter, Jiménez) have all pitched in two of the last three days, and if they all pitch on Saturday, plan on Pierce Johnson getting the save chance on Sunday. After this was posted, Atlanta placed Pierce Johnson on the 15-day injured list, which means Aaron Bummer could be in line for the ancillary save, especially if Ohtani and Freeman hit in the ninth.
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing for Friday goes to Jhoan Durán, confounding hitters on Friday night with his arsenal while securing his second save, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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