It was a chaotic slate featuring four extra-inning contests and a walk-off home by the Angels. Nine relievers recorded wins and seven secured saves, with Clay Holmes notching the last one during Sunday night baseball.
Andrés Muñoz made his first appearance since the collision at home plate. However, his manager used him in the highest-leveraged situation in the eighth inning, matched up against Bobby Witt Jr.’s lineup pocket, not in a save situation. Hopefully, this represents an isolated incident playing for the win on getaway day.
Boston’s Kenley Jansen took over sixth place all-time in reliever strikeouts during his first two-inning outing since 2021 while collecting his second win. Edwin Díaz completed his second rehab appearance with Brooklyn. He worked a scoreless inning, issuing a walk and recording a strikeout while hitting 97 m.p.h. with his four-seam fastball. He can be activated as soon as Tuesday and should provide stability in the Mets’ bullpen hierarchy.
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Our condensed and full game recaps cover Sunday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
(RP | BOS): Logging two innings for the first time since 2021, Kenley Jansen earned his second win. He allowed a hit and recorded five strikeouts over two scoreless frames. After this outing, he also made history, reaching sixth place all-time in strikeouts among relievers with 1,186, passing Rollie Fingers.
(RP | CHW): Summoned for the top of the tenth, Mike Soroka suffered his seventh loss, giving up two hits and two unearned runs while striking out two.
(RP | CLE): During a non-save appearance, Emmanuel Clase allowed a solo home run and struck out one, finishing a three-run win in Miami.
(RP | HOU): After taking over in the eighth, Josh Hader was prepared for an extended outing. However, he suffered his fourth loss, allowing Logan O’Hoppe’s walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth.
(RP | KCR): Suffering his third loss, James McArthur recorded two quick outs in the top of the tenth, then issued a walk, allowed a go-ahead RBI, another walk, and a two-RBI single before being removed.
(RP | LAA): With the score tied in the top of the ninth, Carlos Estévez retired the side and recorded one strikeout. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off dinger in the bottom of the frame.
(RP | MIN): Bouncing back with a clean bottom of the ninth, Jhoan Durán collected his first win courtesy of a seven-run top of the tenth.
(RP | NYY): Provided a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, Clay Holmes navigated around consecutive two-out singles with a game-ending strikeout for his 19th save.
(RP | OAK): During the top of the tenth, Austin Adams suffered his second loss. He issued three walks and allowed three runs (two earned) on a three-RBI double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
(RP | SEA): Producing a game-ending groundout, Tayler Saucedo recorded his third save while stranding a runner and recording one out in the bottom of the tenth, preserving a one-run win over the Royals.
(RP | TOR): Despite letting the “place” runner score, Génesis Cabrera recorded his first save while retiring all three batters faced in the bottom of the tenth.
National League
(RP | ARI): Operating as the first reliever after the opener, Tommy Henry collected his second win despite giving up three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Ryan Thompson | Joe Mantiply
(RP | CHC): Shutting the door on his ninth save, Héctor Neris fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing a two-run win in Cincinnati.
(RP | MIA): In a tied game, A.J. Puk gave up three hits, culminating in a go-ahead three-run home run by Tyler Freeman, resulting in his seventh loss. He only recorded one out in the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Tanner Scott | A.J. Puk| Anthony Bender
(RP | NYM): Hanging on for his second save, Drew Smith induced a game-ending double play groundout, finishing a one-run comeback win over the Phillies. He did let one of two inherited runners score on a single and a bases loaded walk during his one-third of an inning.
(RP | PHI): Handed a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, José Alvarado battled his command while suffering his third loss and second blown save. He allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), a hit batter and two walks with two strikeouts during his two-thirds of the ninth.
(RP | PIT): Suffering his first loss, Ben Heller imploded in the top of the tenth. He allowed five hits, seven runs (six earned), hit two batters, and issued a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: David Bednar | Colin Holderman | Aroldis Chapman
(RP | WSH): With a runner on and the lead cut to three, Kyle Finnegan took over in the ninth. He retired the 2-3-4 Braves’ hitters, recording one strikeout and converted his 18th save in the process.
Vulture Save Option for Monday, June 10
- Griffin Jax (MIN): Durán pitched on consecutive days, leaving Jax atop the hierarchy in today’s matchup with the Rockies.
- Ian Hamilton (NYY): Holmes has appeared in three of the last four days and logged 56 pitches, which should provide him with a rest day in tonight’s contest.
- Nick Anderson (KCR): McArthur has worked on consecutive days and three of the last four. Anderson did pitch on Sunday, but it feels like the team prefers John Schreiber in a set-up role. He’s in play for the vulture save as well, but it may depend on the Yankees’ lineup pocket.
- Ryne Stanek (SEA): Yes, he blew his last save chance, but if the team prefers not to use Muñoz in back-to-back games yet, especially after a plane ride home, he’s in play for the save tonight.
Vulture Save Option for Tuesday, June 11
- Jason Adam (TBR): If Fairbanks pitches tonight, it will be consecutive outings, putting Adam in line for the save on Tuesday.
American League – Game Recaps
Boston Red Sox – Culminating a bullpen game, Cam Booser recorded his first career save, working a clean bottom of the tenth and striking out two. Kenley Jansen collected his second win, tossing two scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and recorded five strikeouts on 34 pitches (24 strikes – 70.6 Strike%) with seven whiffs (20.6 SwStr%). This marks his first two-inning outing since August 13, 2021. Brad Keller stranded two runners and retired both batters in the seventh, one via strikeout. Brennan Bernardino gave up four hits, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two over 1.1 innings. Justin Slaten suffered his third blown save, allowing three runs (one earned) on a home run (Paul DeJong) and recorded three strikeouts over his two innings.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Justin Slaten | Greg Weissert
Chicago White Sox – Tasked with the tenth inning, Mike Soroka suffered his seventh loss. He allowed two hits and two unearned runs and recorded two strikeouts. Tanner Banks received the save chance in the ninth but gave up a lead-off double, a stolen base, and a sacrifice fly, resulting in his third blown save. John Brebbia tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one for his seventh hold. Justin Anderson let one of two inherited runners score while allowing a hit and striking out two over 1.2 scoreless frames during his first blown save.
Hierarchy remains: Michael Kopech | John Brebbia | Jordan Leasure
Cleveland Guardians – After preparing for a save opportunity, Emmanuel Clase still pitched the ninth in a non-save capacity, giving up a solo home run (Jake Burger) and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Despite allowing his second earned run all season, he’s converted 11 of 12 save chances with 17 strikeouts against two walks over his last 17 innings. Hunter Gaddis fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his 13th hold. Sam Hentges retired the side in the seventh, recording two strikeouts for his fourth hold. Nick Sandlin collected his fifth win, tossing a clean bottom of the sixth ahead of his team’s seventh-inning rally.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Houston Astros – Although he stranded a runner in the eighth, Josh Hader suffered his fourth loss, allowing Logan O’Hoppe’s walk-off, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth. His final line was two hits against, two earned runs, and one strikeout over two-thirds combined innings. This snapped a four-game scoreless streak. Ryan Pressly was tagged with his fifth blown save, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth. He’s allowed at least a run in three of his last six and multiple runs twice. Bryan Abreu notched his 14th hold, tossing a scoreless seventh, issuing a walk, and striking out one. Rafael Montero let an inherited runner score while giving up a hit and recording an out for his eighth hold. Seth Martinez gave up an unearned run and struck out two over two-thirds of the sixth for his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Taking over in the top of the tenth, James McArthur suffered his third loss. He allowed two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out one against Seattle. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, he issued a walk and gave up a game-tying RBI single, another walk, and a two-RBI single by Cal Raleigh. This snapped his three-game scoreless streak, and he’s not allowed multiple runs in two of his last five. Chris Stratton retired the side in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Anderson tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Angel Zerpa stranded a runner and retired his only batter faced in the seventh. Will Klein struggled, permitting four hits and two earned runs over two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: James McArthur | John Schreiber | Nick Anderson
Los Angeles Angels – Benefiting from a walk-off at the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Estévez collected his first win. He fired a clean top of the inning, striking out one on 12 pitches (83.3 Strike%) and generating three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owns a modest four-game scoreless streak, all clean outings. Luis García navigated around two hits and struck out one in a scoreless eighth. Matt Moore allowed two hits during a scoreless seventh. Hunter Strickland let his only inherited runner score and gave up two hits, including a two-run home run by Jose Altuve, putting two earned on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Luis García | Matt Moore
Minnesota Twins – Capping a seven-run top of the tenth, Josh Staumont let the “place” runner score on an RBI single by Oneil Cruz, then retired the next three batters. Jhoan Durán collected his first win, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one, keeping the game tied. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Jorge Alcala navigated around two walks for a scoreless eighth. Griffin Jax tossed a scoreless seventh, issuing a walk and striking out two. Cole Sands gave up two hits and struck out one in the sixth. Caleb Thielbar stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the fifth.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Caleb Thielbar
New York Yankees – Securing his 19th save, Clay Holmes faced the Dodgers’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket and worked around consecutive two-out singles with a game-ending strikeout of Mookie Betts. He threw 24 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s riding a nine-game scoreless streak with six strikeouts against two walks while converting six of seven save chances over 8.2 innings. Luke Weaver logged two innings, allowing a hit and an earned run with one strikeout for his eighth hold. Caleb Ferguson collected his first win, recording one out during the sixth, then giving up a hit and a walk before being removed in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Tommy Kahnle
Oakland A’s – Called upon for the top of the tenth, Austin Adams suffered his second loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on a bases-emptying double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and three walks while striking out one. Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one against Toronto’s 2-3-4 batters. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s racked up 55 strikeouts through his first 29.2 innings. Scott Alexander was tagged with his first blown save, giving up an earned run on a single, a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Austin Adams | Scott Alexander
Seattle Mariners – Entering with one runner on and two outs in the bottom of the tenth, Tayler Saucedo induced a game-ending groundout by Vinnie Pasquantino, preserving a one-run win and his third save. Austin Voth gave up two hits, including a two-run home run (Hunter Renfroe) during his two-thirds of the tenth. Mike Baumann gets credit for his third win and second blown save, giving up a game-tying two-run home run by MJ Melendez at the bottom of the ninth, and he recorded three strikeouts. Andrés Muñoz operated as the HLR, retiring the 9-1-2 lineup pocket in order in the eighth and striking out one. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff in his first outing since June 4.
Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Ryne Stanek | Tayler Saucedo
Toronto Blue Jays – Summoned in the bottom of the tenth with a three-run lead, Génesis Cabrera recorded his first save, letting the “place” runner score while producing three groundouts. Yimi García collected his first win, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out one. He threw 25 pitches (60 Strike%) and inducing two whiffs. He’s recorded two wins and two saves through four appearances in June. Chad Green logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out two. Trevor Richards was tagged with his first blown save, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of the seventh. Nate Pearson was credited with his third hold despite serving up a solo home run (Brent Rooker) among his two hits and striking out one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Yimi García | Chad Green | Nate Pearson
National League – Game Recaps
Chicago Cubs – Nailing down his ninth save, Héctor Neris fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Reds’ 4-5-6 hitters, recording two strikeouts and a game-ending groundout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). This represents his fourth clean outing this season and first during a save. He owns a modest four-game scoreless streak. Mark Leiter Jr. secured his ninth hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, issuing a walk, and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Mark Leiter Jr. | Hayden Wesneski
New York Mets – Capping a ninth-inning rally, Drew Smith held on for his second save. Taking over with runners on first and second with one out, he allowed a Bryce Harper single, loading the bases, and issued an RBI walk to Alec Bohm. Bearing down, Smith induced a game-ending double play groundout by Nick Castellanos. Reed Garrett collected his sixth win, allowing a hit, an earned run, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings. Jake Diekman issued a walk and struck out one over two-thirds scoreless. Dedniel Núñez logged 1.2 innings, serving up a solo home run (David Dahl). Danny Young worked two-thirds scoreless, issuing a walk and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Reed Garrett | *Jake Diekman | *Adam Ottavino
*= closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Entering with a one-run lead, José Alvarado struggled with his command (51.5 Strike%), suffering his third loss and a second blown save. He began his outing with a lead-off walk, followed by consecutive singles, tying the game. He loaded the bases on a Luis Torrens walk and recorded a strikeout against Francisco Lindor before hitting Pete Alonso with a pitch, scoring the go-ahead run. A passed ball plated a third run, and Alvarado recorded a strikeout before his removal. He finished with two hits allowed, three runs (two earned), a hit batter, and two walks while striking out two. Jeff Hoffman fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out one. Matt Strahm worked a scoreless combined inning, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one. Gregory Soto was tagged with his first blown save, letting both inherited runners score on two hits and a walk, with an earned run on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
Washington Nationals – Pressed into duty, Kyle Finnegan retired all three batters in the ninth, one via strikeout while recording his 18th save. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff versus Atlanta’s 2-3-4 hitters. Jordan Weems created the save situation, allowing three hits, including a Jarred Kelenic three-run home run and a walk, without recording an out. Dylan Floro tossed a clean eighth, striking out one. Robert Garcia logged 1.2 scoreless, yielding a hit. Jacob Barnes collected his third win, working a scoreless combined inning, issuing a walk and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Kyle Finnegan | Hunter Harvey | Dylan Floro
Closer Monkey’s filthy outing of the day goes to Kenley Jansen. He recorded five of his six outs via strikeout during his first two-inning outing since August 2021 – video courtesy of the Pitching Ninja.
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