Saturday provided a slippery slate for saves, with only six recorded across the 15-game slate. There’s nothing imminent, but Baltimore may manage the workload of Craig Kimbrel much more closely moving forward, he was removed from his save chance with runners on the corners and one out in Cincinnati. Two ancillary saves occurred, but both in instances where the manager played match-ups based on lineup pockets in the eighth inning. Last but not least, Clay Holmes secured his American League-leading 11th save. These events, and more, will be covered in today’s Monkey Bytes, leading off with the condensed recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes (May 4)
American League
(RP | BAL): Taking over with runners on the corners and a one-run lead, Yennier Cano walked his first batter faced, loding the bases, but settled in recording a strikeout and a game-ending pop-out to shallow left-field.
(RP | BOS): During a bullpen contest, Cam Booser suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead solo home run by Max Kepler, and recorded two strikeouts over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
(RP | CWS): After tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth, allowing a hit, and hitting a batter, Michael Kopech collected his first win courtesy of a rally in the top of the tenth.
(RP | TBR): Putting the bow on a two-run margin courtesy of a rally in the bottom of the eighth, Phil Maton recorded his first save of the season, and third of his career.
(RP | MIN): Benefiting from a match-up-based approach, Cole Sands recorded his second save of the season, retiring the 6-7-8 hitters from Boston in order.
(RP | NYY): Nailing down his American League leading 11th save, Clay Holmes tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two, preserving a two-run win over the Tigers.
(RP | TEX): Taking over in the fifth, Josh Sborz stranded two runners. He returned for the sixth, logging a scoreless combined inning, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one.
(RP | TOR): Called upon for a non-save outing, Jordan Romano allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, finishing a three-run win over Washington.
National League
(RP | CHC): Another high-wire act during a high-leverage event, but Héctor Neris held on for his sixth save, navigating around two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, preserving a one-run win over the Brewers.
(RP | COL): Entering a scoreless tie in the bottom of the ninth, Nick Mears suffered his third loss, allowing two hits, including a game-winning RBI single by Jack Suwinski, scoring the games only run. Mears gave up two hits, an earned run, and two walks (one intentional) over two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy remains: Justin Lawrence | Jake Bird / Jalen Beeks
(RP | PIT): Taking over a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth, David Bednar fired a clean inning while recording one strikeout, collecting his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame.
Game Recaps from May 4 – American League
Baltimore Orioles – Forced into action with runners on the corners and one out, Yennier Cano took over in the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead. He recorded his first save this season, working around a walk with a strikeout and a game-ending pop-out. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and generated one whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last five appearances. Craig Kimbrel struggled working on consecutive days, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk during one-third of the ninth, getting credit for his first hold while throwing 18 pitches (50 Strike%). One wonders if his workload management will increase moving forward. Cionel Pérez turned in a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Craig Kimbrel | Yennier Cano | Danny Coulombe
Chicago White Sox – Following an extended rain delay, Tanner Banks recorded his first save of the season, stranding the bases-loaded with a game-ending strikeout of Iván Herrera, preserving a one-run win over St. Louis. John Brebbia gets credited with his second hold, allowing a hit and striking out two over two-thirds of the tenth. He was pitching when the game entered the delay. Michael Kopech collected his first win, working a scoreless bottom of the ninth, giving up a hit and a hit batter while striking out one. He threw 21 pitches (12 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (19 SwStr%). Jordan Leasure retired all three batters faced, stranding a runner in the eighth. Dominic Leone issued a walk and left the game with a tight back. Steven Wilson recorded two strikeouts versus his only two batters faced.
Hierarchy remains (for now): *Michael Kopech | *Steven Wilson | John Brebbia
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Handed a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, Cole Sands recorded his second save of the season, retiring Boston’s 6-7-8 lineup pocket in order. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Jhoan Durán operated like an HLR in this contest, facing the 3-4-5 batters, working around a one-out single with a strikeout and a flyout. He secured his first hold and recorded two strikeouts throwing 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Steven Okert took over with two runners on and two outs in the eighth, issued a walk then struck out Rafael Devers for his second hold. Jorge Alcala gave up two hits and a walk over two-thirds of the seventh.
Updated hierarchy: Jhoan Durán (HLR/PSS) | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when deemed necessary.
New York Yankees – For a second straight appearance, and the third time this year, Clay Holmes logged a multiple-inning outing, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two for his 11th save. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He also extended his scoreless streak to 12 games during which he’s converted eight saves while posting 17 strikeouts against one walk over 12 innings. Luke Weaver tossed 2.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out four for his third hold. He’s recorded multiple strikeouts in his last four games, recording 10 versus one walk through nine scoreless innings. Caleb Ferguson notched his sixth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Clay Holmes | Ian Hamilton | Victor González
Tampa Bay Rays – Securing his first save of the season, and third of his career, Phil Maton worked around a one-out walk with a pop-out and a game-ending groundout, preserving a two-run lead over the Mets. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes – 52.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Jason Adam collected his second win, working a scoreless eighth ahead of a rally in the bottom of the inning. He matched up against the top of the lineup and navigated around two walks, one intentional (Pete Alonso). Garrett Cleavinger tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out three on 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Adam | *Garrett Cleavinger | *Phil Maton
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Although he left his outing with reduced velocity, Josh Sborz collected his first win, stranding two runners in the fifth. He allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during his combined inning, but was working with reduced velocity, stay tuned. Jacob Latz notched his fourth hold, stranding two runners and striking out his only batter faced. José Leclerc tossed a scoreless bottom of the seventh, navigating around a hit and a walk. Jonathan Hernández worked two innings, allowing two hits and an earned run.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Toronto Blue Jays – Making a non-save appearance, Jordan Romano issued a one-out walk and gave up a single, putting two runners on. With two outs, he allowed an RBI single by Luis García Jr. before inducing a game-ending lineout by Joey Meneses, closing out a three-run win. In his outing, Romano yielded two hits and an earned run, walking one with one strikeout on 25 pitches (60 Strike%) with three whiffs (12 SwStr%). He owns a 1.20 WHIP with six strikeouts through his first 6.2 innings. Trevor Richards worked a clean eighth, striking out one. Tim Mayza notched his fifth hold, stranding two runners and striking out his only batter in the seventh. Nate Pearson struggled, giving up a hit, an earned run, a hit batter, and a walk over one-third of the seventh.
Yimi García was unavailable with a tight back.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jordan Romano | Yimi García (HLR) | Erik Swanson
Game Recaps from May 4 – National League
Chicago Cubs – Another adventurous ninth inning, but Héctor Neris held on for his sixth save. His outing commenced with a lead-off walk, followed by a flyout, an infield single, and then an RBI single by William Contreras, making it a one-run game. Neris then bore down, striking out Tyler Black and inducing a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout by Willy Adames. He threw 22 pitches (63.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He’s converted six saves over his last seven outings with a 1.43 WHIP and six strikeouts versus five walks across seven innings. Mark Leiter Jr. logged two scoreless frames, though he let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and striking out three for his seventh hold. Keegan Thompson did not record an out, allowing three hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk in the seventh.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Yency Almonte
Pittsburgh Pirates – After firing a clean top of the ninth, and striking out one, David Bednar collected his second win of the season courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the frame, scoring the game’s only run. He threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) and generated three whiffs (30 SwStr%). This represents his first clean outing since April 21, and his sixth of the season through his first 14 contests. Colin Holderman retired the side in the eighth, keeping the game a scoreless tie.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, May 5
BAL: Cano and Kimbrel have pitched on consecutive days, and with the Reds heart of the lineup leaning toward right-handed hitters, Jacob Webb would be in line for a save chance, but Danny Coulombe also will be in play during the leverage innings. Those seeking a multi-inning option can stream Albert Suárez, he has not pitched since April 28.
CHC: Neris has appeared in three of the last four days, and could pitch on Sunday, but if he needs the day off, Yency Almonte projects as the potential save recipient, but it’s risky.
STL: Helsley and Romero have worked in back-to-back games, and Kittredge pitched two innings on Saturday, leaving the leverage ladder thin. Matthew Liberatore could be called upon for a multi-inning save this afternoon.
TBR: Having used Adam and Maton on consecutive days should mean Garrett Cleavinger could receive the save chance, but if it’s a right-handed heavy pocket in the ninth, Kevin Kelly will also be in play.
Vulture Save Option for Monday, May 6
PIT: If Bednar pitches again on Sunday, it will be two straight, putting Aroldis Chapman on the radar for a potential vulture save on Monday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to these sinkers by Clay Holmes, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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