Before delving into Friday night’s game action, San Francisco demoted Camilo Doval from his closing duties and sent him to Triple-A to work on his mechanics and improve his command. Initial reports indicated Bob Melvin preferred keeping Ryan Walker in this “fireman” role. After a walk-off win, he named his best reliever the interim closer, with quotes in this column by Evan Webeck of The Mercury News, and reflected in our new hierarchy for the Giants:
Adjusted Hierarchy: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Jordan Hicks
During Friday’s games, relievers recorded eight wins and six saves, with two by Twins relievers in a sweep of Cleveland. All of yesterday’s high-leverage events of interest are covered in our condensed recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Justin Martinez (ARI) tossed a scoreless top of the ninth with the score tied, facing the Phililies’ 2-3-4-5 hitters and allowing a hit while striking out one. He collected his fifth win on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning.
- A.J. Minter (ATL) ceded the lead in the bottom of the seventh in Colorado, giving up two hits and an earned run, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Yennier Cano (BAL) allowed a lead-off home run in a non-save outing and finished a three-run win over the Rays. This snapped his modest four-game scoreless streak.
- Lucas Sims (BOS) took over a two-run lead in the top of the seventh and allowed a game-tying Jose Altuve two-run home run. Sims finished with four hits against and four earned runs, resulting in his fifth loss and third blown save over one-third of an inning.
- Héctor Neris (CHC) navigated around traffic for a scoreless ninth and his 16th save. He gave up two hits and a walk during a one-run win over the White Sox.
- Victor Vodnik (COL) recorded his seventh save with a scoreless ninth against Atlanta. He allowed a hit and recorded a game-ending strikeout of Austin Riley. Tyler Kinley was awarded his fifth win, tossing a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit, and striking out one.
- Jason Foley (DET) stranded a runner in the eighth, keeping the game tied. Returning for the ninth, Heliot Ramos reached on an error, followed by a walk and a hit batter. Shelby Miller replaced him with the bases loaded and recorded an out before giving up a walk-off sacrifice fly by Mark Canha, resulting in Foley’s fourth loss of the season.
- Kaleb Ort (HOU) collected his first win, working 1.1 clean frames and striking out three in Boston.
- Will Smith (KCR) entered with a one-run lead and gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth, suffering his fourth loss and eighth blown save. Chris Stratton let both inherited runners score, resulting in his third blown.
- Ben Joyce (LAA) took over with the “place” runner on third and one out in the tenth. He allowed a walk-off single by Alex Call with the infield in, resulting in a third loss for Matt Moore.
- Brett de Geus (MIA) suffered his first loss. He gave up three hits and four runs (three earned) in the top of the tenth against San Diego.
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) secured his 16th save and first of the second half with a scoreless ninth in Game 1 against Cleveland. He allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts.
- Trevor Richards (MIN) recorded his first save with a clean ninth, completing a sweep of Cleveland. This represents his first save since April 20, 2021, and the second of his career. Cole Sands retired four batters, two via strikeout, and collected his sixth win.
- Jeff Hoffman (PHI) did not record an out, allowing Adrian Del Castillo’s walk-off home run leading off the bottom of the ninth, resulting in his second loss.
- Jason Adam (SDP) collected his seventh win and third in his last four appearances for the Padres, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out two. His teammates plated four runs in the top of the tenth.
- Ryan Helsey (STL) worked around a hit and a walk with a game-ending double play groundout for his MLB-leading 37th save. Matthew Liberatore logged three scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out three en route to his third win.
- Chad Green (TOR) retired the side against the A’s for his 11th save. He’s converted each save chance this season.
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH) collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He logged his first two-inning outing of the season, giving up a walk and striking out two without allowing a run.
Vulture Save Options for Saturday, August 10
- Roansy Contreras (LAA): Joyce has worked in two straight games.
- JoJo Romero (STL): Helsley and Kittredge have pitched in three of the last four.
- Mark Leiter Jr. (NYY): With a doubleheader, he could nab a vulture save in Game 2 if they sweep.
- Derek Law (WSH): Finnegan’s appeared in back-to-back games and thrown 57 pitches.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, August 11
- Paul Sewald (ARI): If Martinez and Puk pitch today, it will be two straight games.
- Julian Merryweather (CHC): If Neris gets used in today’s game, he will have appeared on consecutive days.
- Aroldis Chapman (PIT): If David Bednar’s struggles continue, the team may turn to its high-octane southpaw.
Three Takeaways
- Walker’s up, Doval’s down: This will be a tough two weeks for Camilo Doval. Working on command in the Pacific Coast League, a known favorable hitter environment, will be a challenge, but he must meet if he plans to retake the closer role. As for Ryan Walker, he can stake his claim in the hierarchy as the interim closer. With a 7-3 record and 21 holds, his 71:13 K:BB (24.9 K-BB percentage) and 0.88 WHIP stand out. He also does not have noticeable hitter splits. Against left-handed batters, he’s produced a 22.9 K-BB percentage with a 0.94 WHIP, a .272 weighted on-base average (wOBA), and a .212 batting average against through 109 batters faced. Versus right-handed hitters, he’s even more filthy with a 41:8 K:BB (26.6 K-BB percentage), a 0.83 WHIP, a .171 batting average allowed, and a .225 wOBA.
- J-Mart emerging in the desert?: With the leverage ladder rested, Torey Lovullo summoned rookie Justin Martinez in a tied game at the top of the ninth against the heart of the Phillies lineup. He responded with a scoreless inning, allowing an Alec Bohm single and striking out Bryce Harper. It’s tough trusting a reliever with potential command issues, but the flamethrowing reliever may take over Arizona’s primary save share. This will be monitored closely, but he profiles best as the closer and has arrived ahead of schedule.
- Harvey atop the hierarchy in Kansas City?: Once again, the team used Lucas Erceg in the most significant moment ahead of the ninth inning. He secured his 17th hold with a scoreless seventh inning matching up against the Cardinals’ top of the lineup. With the team down by three, James McArthur stranded the bases loaded with consecutive strikeouts against both batters faced, but this usage pattern puts Hunter Harvey in the driver’s seat for saves down the stretch.
American League – Full Recaps, August 9
Houston Astros – In ascending order of appearance, Bryan King took over in the fifth, retiring the side and striking out one.
- Kaleb Ort collected his first win, working 1.1 clean frames and striking out three on 25 pitches (64 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Caleb Ferguson notched his 11th hold, allowing a hit and a walk over one-third scoreless in the seventh.
- Tayler Scott stranded two runners in the seventh with a strikeout for his fifth hold.
- Bryan Abreu secured his American League-leading 28th hold with a scoreless eighth, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one.
- Ryan Pressly allowed an earned run and two walks during a rainy bottom of the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Taking over with his team down by three in the top of the ninth, James McArthur stranded the bases-loaded with consecutive strikeouts of Tommy Pham and Victor Scott II.
- Angel Zerpa gave up three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in one-third of the ninth.
- Chris Stratton suffered his third blown save, letting both inherited runners score on a Scott II double.
- Will Smith allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth, resulting in his fourth loss and eighth blown save.
- Lucas Erceg worked a scoreless seventh against the top of the lineup, giving up a hit and striking out one for his 17th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Hunter Harvey | Lucas Erceg | James McArthur
Minnesota Twins – Securing his first save of the second half and 16th of the season, Jhoan Durán worked around a two-out single and recorded all three outs via strikeout, preserving a two-run win over Cleveland in Game 1. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes – 78.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last three appearances, and this represents the first time he’s registered three strikeouts in an outing in 2024.
- Griffin Jax retired the side on 12 pitches in the eighth for his 18th hold.
- Jorge Alcala was credited with his 14th hold despite giving up two hits, including Brayan Rocchio’s two-run home run in the seventh. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last seven games.
Completing a sweep in Game 2, Trevor Richards recorded his first save and the second of his career (last April 20, 2021) with a clean top of the ninth against Cleveland. He threw nine pitches (88.9 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) while striking out one.
- Caleb Thielbar logged two scoreless frames and recorded two strikeouts for his eighth hold.
- Cole Sands collected his sixth win. He stranded two runners in the fifth and retired all four batters, two via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Jhoan Durán | Griffin Jax | Jorge Alcala
Toronto Blue Jays – Finishing a two-run win over Oakland, Chad Green secured his 11th save with a clean top of the ninth. He threw 11 pitches (54.5 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 while converting all six save opportunities with 10 strikeouts against one walk.
- Erik Swanson notched his sixth hold, issuing a walk during a scoreless eighth. He owns a modest four-game scoreless streak.
Updated Hierarchy: Chad Green | Erik Swanson | Génesis Cabrera
National League – Full Recaps, August 9
Arizona Diamondbacks – Taking over a tied game in the top of the ninth versus the Phillies’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, Justin Martinez recorded a scoreless inning, working around an Alec Bohm single and striking out one. He collected his fifth win courtesy of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the innings. Martinez may be emerging as the preferred save option based on this usage pattern. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last six appearances, posting this win and two saves in his last three.
- A.J. Puk let his only inherited runner score on a Johan Rojas RBI double in the eighth, getting tagged with his third blown save. Puk recorded both outs on strikeouts during his two-thirds of an inning.
Updated Hierarchy: Justin Martinez | A.J. Puk | Paul Sewald
Chicago Cubs – Hanging on for his 16th save, Héctor Neris loaded the bases on two hits and a walk but induced a game-ending Andrew Vaughn flyout, preserving a one-run win. He’s been scoreless in six of eight appearances in the second half, recording a win and three saves.
- Porter Hodge worked 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his seventh hold.
- Drew Smyly gave up Andrew Benintendi’s solo home run during two-thirds of the seventh for his fifth hold.
- Tyson Miller secured his eighth hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Porter Hodge | Tyson Miller
Colorado Rockies – Securing his seventh save against his former franchise, Victor Vodnik tossed a scoreless ninth. He allowed a hit and produced a game-ending strikeout of Austin Riley, preserving the one-run lead. He’s converted seven of eight save chances since July 13.
- Tyler Kinley was awarded his fifth win, working a scoreless eighth. He gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout. He’s been scoreless over his last seven appearances.
- Angel Chivilli suffered his first blown save, allowing a game-tying Jorge Soler, scoring an inherited runner, and putting an earned run on his ledger.
- Justin Lawrence was credited with his third hold despite giving up two hits and two earned runs over 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley | Justin Lawrence
San Diego Padres – Preserving a four-run win in the bottom of the tenth, Tanner Scott stranded the “place” runner despite allowing an infield hit.
- Jason Adam collected his seventh win, firing a clean bottom of the ninth and striking out two. He benefited from his teammates scoring four runs in the top of the tenth. He’s recorded a win in his last two outings and three of his last four with the Padres.
- Bryan Hoeing tossed a clean eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Tanner Scott | Jason Adam
St. Louis Cardinals – Dealing with traffic in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Helsley bent but did not break, securing his MLB-leading 37th save. He allowed a one-out single and walked Bobby Witt Jr. before inducing a game-ending double play groundout by Vinnie Pasquantino. Helsley threw 13 pitches (7 strikes – 53.8 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s converted his last four save opportunities but has allowed multiple baserunners in his previous three.
- Andrew Kittredge notched his MLB-leading 30th hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Matthew Liberatore collected his third win, logging three scoreless frames. He issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Washington Nationals – Working two scoreless frames, Kyle Finnegan collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts in his outing, throwing 29 pitches (18 strikes – 62.1 Strike%) with four whiffs (13.8 SwStr%). This represents his first two-inning appearance this year, and he’s logged five multi-inning contests this season.
- Jacob Barnes tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and striking out three. He also stranded two runners in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Robert Garcia | Derek Law
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits:
