Wednesday’s split slate featured 15 games, with seven relievers recording a win while five secured a save. Michael Tonkin (NYY) notched the third three-inning save in the last two days, closing out an eight-run win over the White Sox. The slate also included three extra-inning games, with Detroit, Houston, and Texas emerging victorious.
For those seeking saves, Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) and Lucas Erceg (KCR) nailed down their second saves with their new teams, which will be covered in our Three Takeaways. First, our condensed recaps cover yesterday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) navigated around a lead-off walk with a strikeout and a game-ending double play groundout for his third save, second with the Orioles.
- Zack Kelly (BOS) suffered his second loss. He allowed Jonah Heim’s go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the tenth. Josh Winckowski was tagged with his first blown save, serving up a three-run home run in the ninth.
- Sam Moll (CIN) retired the side in the third inning as the first reliever out of the bullpen and collected his third win as a result.
- Tyler Holton (DET) retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the top of the tenth. He collected his fifth win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning.
- Josh Hader (HOU) worked two clean frames and recorded his fifth win. He took over a tied game and preserved his win while striking out three. This marks his fourth two-inning outing this season, extending his scoreless streak to eight games.
- Lucas Erceg (KCR) stranded two runners in the eighth and logged 1.1 clean frames while securing his fifth save, second with the Royals.
- Brent Honeywell (LAD) suffered his first loss, hitting a batter, allowing an unearned run, and recording two strikeouts over two innings.
- Devin Williams (MIL) secured his second save against the top of the Dodgers’ lineup with a clean ninth and a strikeout on seven pitches, preserving a one-run win. Joel Payamps retired all four batters and collected his third win.
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) made his third appearance since August 9 in the seventh inning against the top of the Royals’ lineup. He allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one on 22 pitches.
- Michael Tonkin (NYY) recorded his second save, logging three scoreless frames during a lopsided win over the White Sox. He gave up two hits and struck out two. Tim Hill collected his fourth win after retiring the side in the sixth and his teammates’ three-run rally in the top of the seventh.
- José Ruiz (PHI) took over at the top of the fifth and was awarded his third win. He stranded two runners and retired both batters, one via strikeout.
- Collin Snider (SEA) gave up a walk and Akil Baddoo’s walk-off RBI double at the bottom of the tenth, resulting in his second loss. Yimi García suffered his second blown save, allowing a game-tying Kerry Carpenter two-run home run in the eighth.
- Garrett Cleavinger (TBR) allowed a two-out walk followed by a go-ahead RBI single at the top of the tenth, resulting in his third loss.
- Kirby Yates (TEX) closed out a two-run extra-inning win in Boston with a clean tenth while recording one strikeout for his 21st save. Matt Festa earned his first win, logging 1.1 clean frames.
Vulture Save Option, Thursday, August 15
- Joel Payamps (MIL): Until Devin Williams appears on consecutive days we must plan on a vulture save the day after he works, though the closer intimates his availability today in this postgame interview.
- Matt Strahm (PHI): Estévez and Hoffman have pitched in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Option, Friday, August 16
- Austin Voth (SEA): If Muñoz and García pitch today, it will be two straight outings.
Three Takeaways
- Seranthony secures his second consecutive save: With the bullpen fully rested, Brandon Hyde summoned Seranthony Domínguez with a three-run lead in the top of the ninth against the Nationals. Despite allowing a lead-off walk, Domínguez notched his second save with the Orioles, and third this season, with a scoreless ninth while striking out one. He’s been scoreless in eight out of his nine games since his acquisition, with 10 strikeouts versus three walks (21.2 K-BB%) and a 0.78 WHIP. He’s also recorded a game finished in four of his last five games with saves in each of the last two. He may not be the closer by designation, but he’s being deployed like one.
- Erceg records his second save with KC, but: In the seventh inning, Lucas Erceg was throwing in case he was needed. However, he was not brought into the contest until the eighth, with runners on the corners and two outs. He stranded both runners and retired the side in order in the ninth for his second save with the Royals and fifth this season. With Hunter Harvey on the injured list, Erceg will continue receiving save chances. Still, it’s possible he will revert into the highest-leveraged reliever (HLR) next week or even in games this weekend. This does not mean fantasy managers cannot reap the rewards of his upcoming save chances; they must not be on tilt if he’s called upon in the seventh or eighth inning with the game on the line based on his usage patterns since being acquired. The good news is he’s been scoreless through his first seven games with Kansas City, securing two saves and five holds with eight strikeouts against zero walks (30.8 K-BB%) and a 0.39 WHIP through 7.2 innings.
- Hader and multi-inning outings: Before signing his contract with the Astros, Josh Hader made his last multiple-inning outing on August 14, 2020. He worked in one inning or less in the next 193 outings through the end of last season. He was upset about losing money in arbitration hearings when his save total was depressed by recording four or more outs, making him less available. During his first season with Houston, he’s already logged five appearances requiring four or more outs, including yesterday’s two-innings against Tampa Bay. Through 54.1 innings this year, he ranks second in strikeouts by relievers (82) and he’s averaging almost four batters faced per outing with the increased workload. This must be accounted for in next year’s projections since he’s willing to appear in multiple-inning outings after receiving his five-year contract.
American League – Full Game Recaps, August 14
Baltimore Orioles – After issuing a lead-off walk during a 10-pitch at-bat, Seranthony Domínguez bore down, recording a strikeout of Luis García Jr. and inducing a game-ending double play groundout for his third save, second with the Orioles. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances since July 26, with 10 strikeouts versus three walks.
- Cionel Pérez notched his 17th hold with a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout.
- Yennier Cano retired the side for his 27th hold on 10 pitches (70 Strike%).
Updated Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Yennier Cano | Cionel Pérez
Detroit Tigers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Tyler Holton collected his fifth win. He retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in a clean top of the tenth against Seattle’s 2-3-4 hitters on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in nine of ten games in the second half with 14 strikeouts against two walks with this win and two saves.
- Jason Foley worked a clean ninth and struck out one, keeping the game tied.
- Shelby Miller stranded the bases-loaded in the eighth while retiring both batters, one via strikeout.
- Will Vest gave up a hit, an earned run, a walk, and a hit batter over one-third of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Logging his fourth two-inning outing this season, Josh Hader collected his fifth win during a one-run extra-inning contest in Tampa Bay. Hader retired all six batters, three on strikeouts. He threw 29 pitches (21 strikes – 72.4 Strike%) and generated a season-high 10 whiffs (34.5 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last eight games while converting six saves with 10 strikeouts versus three walks over 8.1 innings.
- Bryan Abreu suffered his fourth blown save. He issued a walk, gave up two stolen bases, and a game-tying fielder’s choice groundout, scoring an earned run in the eighth.
- Tayler Scott stranded two runners and retired both batters, one via strikeout, for his sixth hold in the seventh.
- Kaleb Ort was credited with his first hold despite recording one out and walking two in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Summoned with two runners and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Lucas Erceg stranded both while retiring all four batters for his fifth save, second with the Royals. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has remained scoreless since the trade deadline, appearing in seven games spanning 7.2 innings with eight strikeouts versus zero walks.
- Sam Long was credited with his fourth hold, recording two outs and allowing two hits before his removal in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *Lucas Erceg | *Kris Bubic | James McArthur
*= closer-by-committee
National League – Full Game Recaps, August 14
Milwaukee Brewers – Matched up with the top of the Dodger’s lineup with a one-run lead, Devin Williams turned in a dominant performance, retiring the side and recording a strikeout for his second save. He threw seven pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff (14.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in four out of five games this season, with nine strikeouts versus one walk.
- Joel Payamps collected his third win, retiring all four batters. He also stranded two runners in the seventh, keeping the game tied before a go-ahead rally in the bottom of the inning.
- Jared Koenig suffered his second blown save, giving up three hits and an earned run while recording both outs via strikeout in the seventh.
- Nick Mears worked 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
Philadelphia Phillies – Preserving a four-run win, Carlos Estévez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Marlins. He threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- José Alvarado worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth.
- Jeff Hoffman gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless seventh, notching his 16th hold.
- Matt Strahm fired a clean sixth, striking out one for his 11th hold.
- José Ruiz collected his third win. He stranded a runner while retiring both batters, one via strikeout, in the top of the fifth.
Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Jeff Hoffman | Matt Strahm
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