On this date, 24 years ago, it was supposed to be my first full day as a first-year Physical Education teacher. However, I received a phone call from my wife at the time telling me to get to a TV and see what’s happening. It was then that I saw the second tower get hit, and the bell rang for my first class to arrive. I will never forget the events of that day, and I still wear the fire company t-shirt that a student’s uncle gave me, a gift the family gave me with pride. Hug your loved ones as we remember those who lost their lives and the heroes who responded on 9/11 in 2001.
As for Wednesday’s games, relievers recorded nine wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save (Enyel De Los Santos), and seven saves while suffering eight losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for September 11
- Seranthony Domínguez (TOR): Jeff Hoffman has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Bryan King (HOU): Bryan Abreu, Enyel De Los Santos, and Steven Okert have all appeared in consecutive contests.
- Colin Holderman (PIT): It could also be Dauri Moreta, but Dennis Santana and Isaac Mattson have pitched the two previous games.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
Leverage Ledger
Boston Red Sox – All good things end, and on Wednesday afternoon, Aroldis Chapman lost his 17-game hitless streak, which spanned 50 batters. He took over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, allowing a lead-off double by Shea Langeliers, retired Brent Rooker on a lineout to right field, followed by Lawrence Butler’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in Chapman’s third loss.
It was a dominant stretch for the veteran closer, and he has converted all save chances since July 26.
- Kyle Harrison logged three scoreless frames, scattering three hits and recording two strikeouts in his team debut.
- Steven Matz let two of three inherited runners score, getting tagged with his fourth blown save.
- Justin Slaten was credited with his fifth hold, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk over one-third of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
Chicago Cubs – Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Kittredge secured his third save, retiring the side and striking out one in Atlanta. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless over his last six games with a 0.526 WHIP and six strikeouts against one walk across 5.2 innings.
Brad Keller faced the top of the lineup, giving up Matt Olson’s one-out single and striking out one, recording his 24th hold.
This was an HLR-type usage, which hints at shared saves moving forward. This extended his scoreless streak to 21 games, during which he has posted a 0.469 WHIP with 26 strikeouts versus six walks (26.7 K-BB%) over 21.1 innings.
- Caleb Thielbar notched his 21st hold, firing a clean seventh and striking out one.
- Porter Hodge struck out both batters in the sixth for his seventh hold.
- Taylor Rogers was awarded his third win, retiring all three batters between the fifth and sixth innings.
In the team’s first save situation without Daniel Palencia, it was a match-up-based approach. This likely remains until the end of the season.
Updated Hierarchy: *Brad Keller | *Andrew Kittredge | Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox – Called upon with two runners on and two outs at the top of the ninth, Tyler Gilbert recorded a game-ending strikeout against Brandon Lowe for his first career save.
- Wikelman González took over after an injury, walking one and striking out one of his two outs recorded for his first hold.
- Grant Taylor began the inning with the save chance but was removed with a groin injury after issuing a walk.
- Fraser Ellard notched his second hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Jordan Leasure collected his fifth win, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
As for Taylor:
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Jordan Leasure | *Grant Taylor | *Mike Vasil
*= closer-by-committee
Cincinnati Reds – Preserving a one-run lead, Tony Santillan navigated around a lead-off double by Gavin Sheets by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout, while securing his sixth save. He threw 13 pitches (76.9% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in five of his last six outings and recorded a save in two of his last three, posting a 1.167 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Nick Martinez
Houston Astros – Despite throwing 30 pitches on Tuesday, Bryan Abreu was called upon at the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead in Toronto. He retired the 4-5-6 lineup pocket in order, striking out one and converting his fifth save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
Showing a short memory, Abreu has rebounded well this season, but he has allowed multiple runs in three of his last five appearances.
- Enyel De Los Santos let one of two inherited runners score at the bottom of the eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one while recording two outs. He collected his sixth win courtesy of Yainer Diaz’s home run in the ninth, but was also tagged with his second blown save.
- Steven Okert was credited with his ninth hold, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out one in one-third of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Abreu | Bryan King | Enyel De Los Santos
Kansas City Royals – Locking down his MLB-leading 39th save, Carlos Estévez retired the side while protecting a one-run lead in Cleveland. He threw 15 pitches (80% strike rate) without a whiff, facing the 8-9-1 lineup pocket.
This extended his scoreless streak to ten games, during which he has converted nine saves with a 0.30 WHIP and nine strikeouts versus one walk (24.3 K-BB%) through ten innings.
- Lucas Erceg logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one for his 22nd hold.
- Luinder Avila worked two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one, earning his first career win.
Hierarchy Remains: Carlos Estévez | Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber
Los Angeles Angels – Capping his team’s eighth inning rally, Kenley Jansen shut the door on his 27th save, and the 474th of his career, retiring the side and striking out two while preserving a one-run lead against the Twins. This puts him within four of third all-time in saves with 16 games remaining. He threw nine pitches (88.9% strike rate) and generated three whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he has a 0.33 WHIP with four strikeouts against two walks.
- Robert Stephenson took over at the top of the eighth and stranded a runner, walking and striking out one during one-third of the eighth, collecting his second win.
- Reid Detmers left his outing early with a dip in velocity, and his status will be determined.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Reid Detmers | Luis García
Texas Rangers – Summoned with a runner on first and one out, Phil Maton struck out Brice Turang, then induced a game-ending lineout by Jackson Chourio, preserving a two-run lead for his fourth save, first since August 5. He threw 10 pitches (70% strike rate) and produced three whiffs.
He has been scoreless in three of four appearances this month, posting a win and this save.
- Shawn Armstrong took over at the top of the eighth with a runner on and no outs. He induced a groundball double play and recorded a strikeout on only seven pitches. He returned for the ninth, recording another strikeout, then was removed after issuing Isaac Collins a walk. Armstrong finished with 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two for his 11th hold.
- Robert Garcia worked a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Hoby Milner stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the sixth, securing his 17th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Shawn Armstrong | Phil Maton | Robert Garcia
The Athletics – Pressed into action with a runner on second and one out, Hogan Harris retired Jarren Duran via strikeout, issued Alex Bregman an intentional walk, and induced an inning-ending Nathaniel Lowe flyout, keeping the game tied. He collected his second win courtesy of his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth.
- Elvis Alvarado took over with a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, allowing David Hamilton’s lead-off single, who was erased when he was caught stealing, then walked Carlos Narváez, who was replaced by pinch-runner Cedanne Rafaela, which paid off when he scored on Rob Refsnyder’s RBI double, prompting his removal. He gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk over one-third of an inning, suffering his first blown save.
- Justin Sterner worked two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts, securing his 13th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | *Justin Sterner
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs with a five-run lead, Andrew Saalfrank let both inherited runners score on a Rafael Devers double before ending the inning on a flyout. Returning for the ninth, he issued Matt Chapman a lead-off walk and put an earned run on his ledger, giving up an RBI double by Casey Schmitt. Saalfrank finished his 1.1 innings with two hits, an earned run, and a walk, snapping his nine-game scoreless streak.
- Baltimore Orioles: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Albert Suárez retired the side and recorded a strikeout, stranding the “place” runner. He collected his second win in as many appearances since September 6.
- Cleveland Guardians: Taking over with a one-run lead at the top of the seventh, Tim Herrin gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while retiring one batter, resulting in his fourth loss and second blown save. Hunter Gaddis let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit during his two-thirds of the seventh.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Completing a combined shutout, Anthony Banda issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts at the top of the ninth versus the Rockies. Kirby Yates struck out one in the eighth. Alex Vesia stranded three runners, striking out both batters faced for his 23rd hold in the seventh. Michael Kopech issued three walks during one-third of the seventh.
- Miami Marlins: After stranding a runner at the top of the sixth, Lake Bachar recorded an out in the seventh, allowing a hit during his outing, and was awarded his sixth win.
- Minnesota Twins: After stranding a runner at the bottom of the seventh, Cole Sands gave up a lead-off triple and a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Mike Trout in the eighth, resulting in his fourth loss. He finished with a hit and an earned run during his 1.2 innings.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Kyle Nicolas suffered his first loss, walking Colton Cowser, followed by consecutive singles, resulting in his first loss. Dennis Santana fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two, keeping the game tied.
- Seattle Mariners: After stranding the “place” runner in the 12th and 13th innings, Emerson Hancock earned his fourth win on his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the 13th. He threw 18 pitches (72.2% strike rate) and induced two whiffs. Luke Jackson allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out one during the 10th and 11th innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Thrust into a tied game at the bottom of the 12th, Ryan Fernandez suffered his third loss despite working a scoreless 12th against the top of the lineup. Returning for the 13th, he gave up a walk-off two-run home run by Leo Rivas, finishing with a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one during his combined inning.
- Tampa Bay Rays: During an impromptu bullpen game, Mason Montgomery suffered his third loss, allowing five hits, five earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the second.
- Toronto Blue Jays: With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Jeff Hoffman allowed a go-ahead home run by Yainer Diaz and recorded a strikeout, resulting in his seventh loss. This snapped his five-game scoreless streak, and he now has allowed the most home runs (15) as a reliever this season.
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