Although Saturday provided a full slate of contests, it only yielded five reliever wins and five saves. Two saves were ancillary, including the first of Pedro Avila‘s career.
An update regarding Jordan Romano also surfaced. He received an anti-inflammatory injection and will begin his rehab protocol for his return. This represents his second such injection. Those who added Yimi García should try keeping him on the roster, just in case. Also, Andrés Muñoz would have been available for a save chance on Saturday, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.
Our condensed and full game recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | CLE): After tossing three scoreless innings and preserving a combined shutout in Miami, Pedro Avila secured his first career save. He allowed two walks and struck out six on 43 pitches (25 strikes – 58.1 Strike%) with nine whiffs (20.9 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last four appearances and produced 12 strikeouts against two walks over 8.2 innings with a 0.57 WHIP.
Updated Hierarchy: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
(RP | CWS): Taking over in the fifth, Tanner Banks stranded two runners and logged 1.2 scoreless innings, resulting in his first win.
(RP | DET): Inheriting two runners in the top of the sixth, Shelby Miller suffered his third blown save, inducing a groundout before allowing a two-RBI double by Jackson Chourio, ceding the lead. Miller finished 1.2 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
(RP | KCR): During a non-save outing, James McArthur tossed a clean top of the ninth, closing a four-run win over Seattle.
(RP | MIN): Appearing with his team down by one in the bottom of the eighth, Jhoan Durán did not fare well. He issued Oneil Cruz a one-out walk, followed by a Ke’Bryan Hayes single, but recorded a strikeout. With two outs and runners on second and third, Durán gave up a two-RBI single by Rowdy Tellez, prompting his removal. He finished with two hits against, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). Since May 17, he’s given up multiple hits in five of 10 outings while converting seven saves with a 1.95 WHIP (12 hits plus five walks over 8.2 IP).
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
National League
(RP | CIN): Forced into action with two runners on and one out, Justin Wilson recorded his first save, and first since 2019, retiring both batters faced and preserving a one-run win over the Cubs.
(RP | COL): Entering with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Kinley worked around a one-out double for a scoreless outing, securing his fourth save and striking out one in St. Louis.
(RP | MIL): Capping a comeback win, Trevor Megill nailed down his ninth save with a clean bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run win over the Tigers.
(RP | PHI): During a win in London, Orion Kerkering retired all four batters faced, three via strikeout, and stranded to runners in the sixth. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He owns an eight-game scoreless streak and has recorded multiple strikeouts in four of his last five appearances (10 strikeouts of 18 batters faced – 55.6 K%).
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
(RP | PIT): Appearing for the fourth time in five days, David Bednar preserved a combined shutout, allowing a hit and striking out two in the ninth during a non-save outing.
(RP | SFG): Navigating around a lead-off walk and a one-out hit, Camilo Doval recorded his 11th save, preserving a two-run win in Texas.
(RP | STL): Taking over with a one-run lead, Andrew Kittredge suffered his third loss and third blown save, giving up three hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Ezequiel Tovar, three earned runs, and recorded one strikeout in the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Ryan Helsley | JoJo Romero | Andrew Kittredge
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, June 9
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT): He’s been scoreless in four of his last five appearances, with multiple strikeouts in his last three. Bednar and Holderman have pitched on consecutive days and in four of the last five.
- Ryan Walker (SFG): Doval and Tyler Rogers have worked in back-to-back games, putting Walker in line for the vulture chance today.
- Griffin Jax (MIN): With the Twins on a seven-game losing streak and Durán allowing three runs in a non-save outing yesterday, the Team may opt for Jax in the ninth today.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, June 10
Monday features a limited seven-game slate
- Nick Anderson (KCR): If James McArthur pitches today, it will be consecutive outings and three of the last four.
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American League – Full Recaps
Chicago White Sox – Closing a five-run win, Michael Kopech navigated around a hit, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out two for a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 33 pitches (21 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (12.1 SwStr%). Jordan Leasure fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 16 pitches (56.3 Strike%) without a whiff. John Brebbia tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two. Tanner Banks collected his first win, stranding two runners in the fifth and logging 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Kansas City Royals – Turning in a clean top of the ninth in a non-save capacity, James McArthur preserved a four-run win over the Mariners. He faced 7-8-9 hitters and threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) with one whiff. After a rough finish in May, he’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak in June. John Schreiber notched his 15th hold, issuing a walk during a scoreless eighth. Will Smith secured his fifth hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one. He’s riding a five-game scoreless streak. Sam Long let one of two inherited runners score in the sixth. He allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Nick Anderson
National League – Full Recaps
Cincinnati Reds – Forced into action with runners on the corners and one out, Justin Wilson induced a pop-out by Ian Happ, followed by a game-ending Mike Tauchman groundout for his first save as a Red and first since 2019. He threw seven pitches, all strikes. Lucas Sims received the save chance but gave up a lead-off walk and a one-out single, prompting his removal. He was credited with his ninth hold. Fernando Cruz recorded his 12th hold, allowing two hits and an earned run in the eighth. Sam Moll tossed a clean seventh, striking out one for his fourth hold. Emilio Pagán notched his third hold, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Alexis Díaz | Lucas Sims| Fernando Cruz
Colorado Rockies – Matching up with Nolan Arenado’s lineup pocket, Tyler Kinley struck him out, allowed a double by Brendan Donovan, induced a lineout by Iván Herrera, and recorded a game-ending pop-out by Matt Carpenter for his fourth save. He preserved a one-run lead by throwing 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and producing two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in three of his last four with two saves and one hold. Jalen Beeks fired a clean bottom of the eighth, facing the Cardinals’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, recording two strikeouts for his fourth hold. Victor Vodnik lost his six-game scoreless streak on a home run by Carpenter in the bottom of the seventh. Collecting his first win, Vodnik logged 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Jalen Beeks | *Tyler Kinley | Victor Vodnik
*= closer-by-committee (match-up-based)
Milwaukee Brewers – Shutting the door on his ninth save, Trevor Megill retired the side in the bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run win in Detroit. He threw 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak, and this represents his first save in June. Joel Payamps fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his seventh hold. Bryan Hudson logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out three. Enoli Paredes gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds scoreless, securing his second hold. Jared Koenig earned his sixth win, tossing 1.2 clean innings and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Trevor Megill | Elvis Peguero | Bryan Hudson
Pittsburgh Pirates – After getting hot for a potential save chance, David Bednar tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, preserving a combined shutout in a non-save appearance. He allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts on 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) with three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He’s worked on consecutive days and four times in the last five. Colin Holderman notched his tenth hold, retiring the side in the eighth and striking out one. Hunter Stratton collected his second win, stranding two runners and inducing an inning-ending pop-out. Justin Bruihl recorded two outs and gave up two hits in the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
San Francisco Giants – Securing his 11th save, Camilo Doval worked around a lead-off walk and a one-out single by retiring the last two batters, preserving a two-run win in Texas. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1 Strike%) and only induced one whiff. Over his last 10 appearances, he’s converted five of seven save chances with a 1.86 WHIP and 10 strikeouts versus seven walks over 9.2 innings. Tyler Rogers fired a clean bottom of the eighth for his 11th hold. Ryan Walker logged 1.1 clean frames and stuck out one, recording his 12th hold. Erik Miller collected his first win, yielding a hit and striking out two over a combined inning of relief.
Hierarchy remains: Camilo Doval | Tyler Rogers | Ryan Walker
Closer Monkey’s filthy pitch of the day goes to Orion Kerkering and this sweeper, video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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