During an extra-inning win in Detroit, Tanner Scott tossed a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied. After his teammates plated the “place” runner in the top of the tenth, A.J. Puk made his second straight appearance, closing out his first save of the season, retiring the side and preserving the one-run win. He jumped into our hierarchy on Monday following his activation, and this outing confirms his high-leverage status, which may include more save chances with the team shopping Scott, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
With his five-year contract in hand, Josh Hader will work multiple-inning outings again and logged two scoreless frames en route to his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. This and the remaining high-leverage events of interest from last night will be covered below in our condensed and full recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Courtesy of a walk-off rally, Brennan Bernardino collected his second win after tossing a scoreless top of the 12th, issuing a walk and striking out one.
(RP | CWS): During Game 1, John Brebbia suffered his second loss. He gave up three hits and three earned runs over his 1.1-inning outing.
(RP | CLE): Securing his 13th save, Emmanuel Clase tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite issuing a walk during a three-run win in Texas.
(RP | DET): Taking over in the top of the tenth, Alex Lange suffered his third loss, giving up an RBI single, scoring the “place” runner, and striking out one.
(RP | HOU): During his second two-inning outing this season, Josh Hader collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He turned in a scoreless outing, walking one and striking out three.
(RP | KCR): Recording four outs, James McArthur held on for his 10th save, allowing two hits, including a solo home run, and struck out three.
(RP | NYY): Closing out a 5-1 win, Clay Holmes retired the side in the ninth, facing the Twins’ 5-6-7 batters. He threw six pitches (83.3 Strike%) without a whiff. He remains the only qualified reliever without an earned run allowed this season.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Victor González
(RP | OAK): Taking over a tied game in the bottom of the tenth, Michael Kelly was tagged with his first loss, allowing a flyball and a walk-off hit, driving in the “place” runner in Houston.
(RP | TBR): During an extended outing in extra-innings, Manuel Rodríguez suffered his first loss, and blown save, on a walk-off RBI single in Boston.
(RP | TEX): Making his first appearance since May 8, Kirby Yates gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk over one-third of the ninth. His outing began with a walk, followed by an Andrés Giménez double, and a sacrifice fly before being lifted. This marked only his second earned run allowed this season.
Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
National League
(RP | COL): Extending his team’s win streak to six games, Tyler Kinley closed out his first save with a clean bottom of the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Jalen Beeks | Justin Lawrence (HLR) | Jake Bird
(RP | MIA): Closing out a 1-0 win in Detroit, A.J. Puk retired the side in the bottom of the tenth for his first save this season.
(RP | MIL): Although he allowed a solo home run, Trevor Megill secured his fifth save, finishing a one-run win over the Pirates and recording two strikeouts.
(RP | STL): Shutting the door on his 13th save, Ryan Helsley tossed a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit and striking out two during a one-run over the Angels.
(RP | WSH): Hanging on for his 13th save, Kyle Finnegan worked around two hits and struck out one during a scoreless ninth in Game 1 versus the White Sox.
Game Recaps – American League
Boston Red Sox – Benefiting from a walk-off, Brennan Bernardino earned his second win. He worked a scoreless top of the 12th while walking one and striking out one. Zack Kelly tossed two innings, letting one of two “place” runners score, giving up a walk and striking out two. Kenley Jansen navigated around a one-out single for a scoreless ninth, inducing a flyout and getting an inning-ending caught stealing. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) without a whiff. Chris Martin fired a clean eighth, striking out two. Justin Slaten suffered his first blown save, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Chris Martin | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox – Taking over in the seventh, John Brebbia suffered his second loss, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings in Game 1. Steven Wilson let one of two inherited runners score while tossing 1.2 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two.
Preserving a split in Game 2, Michael Kopech worked around two walks and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless ninth in a non-save outing. He threw 23 pitches (11 strikes – 47.8 Strike%) without a whiff. Jordan Leasure notched his sixth hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Cleveland Guardians – Save number 12 for Emmanuel Clase. He did issue a walk but turned in a scoreless bottom of the ninth, closing out a three-run win in Texas. He threw 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in 13 of his last 14 appearances, converting all eight save chances with a 16:2 K:BB over 13.1 innings. Scott Barlow held on for his ninth hold, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two in the eighth. Cade Smith fired two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Scott Barlow | Nick Sandlin
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with the top of the tenth during a scoreless tie, Alex Lange gave up a single by Josh Bell, moving the “place” runner to third, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice ground out by Jesús Sánchez, a strikeout, and a caught stealing during his third loss. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%). Jason Foley fired a clean top of the ninth, facing the 9-1-2 lineup pocket and striking out one on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | *Alex Lange
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – After logging his second two-inning outing this year, Josh Hader collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He threw 30 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). During two scoreless frames, he issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts. Ryan Pressly suffered his third blown save, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth. Bryan Abreu allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Forced into action in the eighth, James McArthur stranded a runner, and converted his 10th save while logging 1.1 innings and giving up a solo home run in the ninth (Mitch Haniger). He finished with two hits allowed and an earned run while striking out three. He threw 30 pitches (18 strikes – 60 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s recorded three straight saves but has allowed a home run in four of his last five appearances. John Schreiber worked 1.2 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out one for his 10th hold.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Chris Stratton
Oakland A’s – Entering in the bottom of the tenth, Michael Kelly suffered his first loss, giving up a one-out, walk-off RBI single by Victor Caratini. Mason Miller tossed two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out five. He threw 29 pitches (20 strikes – 69 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (24.1 SwStr%). This was his first outing since May 8. He owns a 13-game scoreless streak while posting 37 strikeouts against four walks over 17.1 innings, but he last recorded a save on April 30. Lucas Erceg fired a clean seventh, striking out two. Austin Adams retired the side in the sixth, recording two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Lucas Erceg | Austin Adams
Tampa Bay Rays – Suffering his first loss, and his first blown save, Manuel Rodríguez issued an intentional walk in the bottom of the 12th and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Romy Gonzalez. Jason Adam retired the side in the bottom of the tenth on nine pitches. He’s been scoreless in 15 of his last 16 appearances. Pete Fairbanks fired a clean ninth, striking out two on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) without a whiff. Garrett Cleavinger tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two. Phil Maton turned in a clean seventh, striking out one.
When Fairbanks appears on consecutive days, our hierarchy designation will change.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Pete Fairbanks | *Jason Adam | Garrett Cleavinger
*= closer-by-committee
Game Recaps – National League
Miami Marlins – Back from the injured list, and no longer in the rotation, A.J. Puk fired a clean bottom of the tenth, stranding the “place” runner and recording his first save of the season, and first since July 8, 2023, preserving a one-run shutout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) without a whiff. Tanner Scott collected his second win, turning in a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite giving up a hit and a walk, with two strikeouts. He’s one day removed from a 39-pitch outing and logged 19 in this outing (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) while generating seven whiffs (36.8 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk| Anthony Bender
Milwaukee Brewers – Despite allowing a solo home run, Trevor Megill recorded his fifth save during a one-run win over the Pirates. He threw 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (29.2 SwStr%). This snapped his modest six-game scoreless streak, but he’s been scoreless in eight of 10 games this year, posting 10 strikeouts against three walks over 10.2 innings. Elvis Peguero notched his fifth hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out two. Bryan Hudson fired two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
St. Louis Cardinals – Nailing down his 13th save, Ryan Helsley worked around an infield single for a scoreless bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run win and recording two strikeouts. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (38.9 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in 13 of his last 14, producing an 18:1 K:BB with a 0.57 WHIP over 14 innings. JoJo Romero navigated around a hit and two walks while striking out two during a scoreless eighth for his 14th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Finishing a three-run win during Game 1, and his 13th save, Kyle Finnegan navigated around two hits and recorded a strikeout during a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, spanning 12 innings with 12 strikeouts against three walks and a 0.42 WHIP. Hunter Harvey secured his MLB-leading 14th hold, working a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Derek Law collected his third win, allowing a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Vulture Recommendations for Wednesday, May 15
Boston: Jansen has pitched in four of the previous five days, Martin in three of the last four, leaving this leverage ladder thinned out. Chase Anderson may receive a multiple-inning save in this contest or one of the veterans takes the ninth, but fatigue will be a factor.
Cleveland: Clase has appeared in back-to-back games, and could log a third, if not, plan on Scott Barlow for the save chance today if provided.
Detroit: Back on our radars, Foley has worked in two straight, and the team will not push him into a third consecutive day of work, which means an ancillary save could fall upon Andrew Chafin.
Houston: Hader threw two innings yesterday while Pressly and Abreu have pitched on consecutive days, presenting another leverage ladder stretched thin. This likely translates into a multi-inning save by Seth Martinez, but it’s risky business.
Kansas City: McArthur threw 30 pitches last night, and Schreiber tossed 29, which means it should be Chris Stratton for the save chance if presented today.
Miami: Scott’s pitched in two of the last three, and thrown 58 pitches in them. Puk has appeared in two straight, which may leave Anthony Bender in play for the vulture save today.
Oakland: Miller logged two scoreless frames but will need today off, putting Lucas Erceg on our radar for the save chance today.
Vulture Recommendations for Thursday, May 16
*Note, this is only a six-game slate.
Mets: If Edwin Díaz pitches today, he will get tomorrow off, placing Reed Garrett in line for the vulture save chance.
Yankees: Holmes appeared in a non-save capacity last night, and if he pitches today, it may yield a Luke Weaver save opportunity on Thursday.
Closer Monkey’s filthy sequence of the day awarded to Mason Miller facing Jose Altuve, courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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