Relievers were at the forefront of decisions on a full Saturday slate. Relief pitchers recorded nine wins and six saves, but also suffered nine losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for September 14
- Andrew Kittredge (CHC): He has recorded the last two saves for the Cubs, and if he’s available, has a clear path towards a save chance today.
- Luke Weaver (NYY): David Bednar and Devin Williams have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Blake Treinen (LAD): Tanner Scott has worked in consecutive contests.
- Bryan Baker (TB): Pete Fairbanks threw 25 pitches during his save yesterday and has not appeared in back-to-back games since August 15 and 16.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Leverage Ledger
Baltimore Orioles – Pressed into duty with a runner on and two outs at the bottom of the ninth, Yennier Cano gave up Ernie Clement’s lead-off single, followed by Joey Loperfido’s RBI single, and a game-tying RBI single by Andrés Giménez. George Springer reached on catcher’s interference, loading the bases, and Alejandro Kirk produced a walk-off sacrifice fly, resulting in Cano’s seventh loss and fifth blown save.
- Keegan Akin was removed after recording an out in the ninth, and Daulton Varsho reached on a bunt single, finishing with his 16th hold while giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds combined innings.
- Kade Strowd was credited with his fourth hold, allowing two hits and an earned run during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Rico Garcia notched his seventh hold, working around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Keegan Akin | *Rico Garcia | *Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Shutting the door on his 14th save, Cade Smith retired the side and recorded two strikeouts while finishing a two-run lead against the White Sox. He threw 17 pitches (58.8% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%).
He has converted a save in his last five appearances and been scoreless over his last six, retiring 19 of 20 batters, 12 on strikeouts (60 K-BB%).
- Hunter Gaddis fired a clean eighth, securing his 31st hold, needing only six pitches, all strikes, and recording one strikeout.
- Erik Sabrowski notched his ninth hold, allowing a hit and striking out two during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Los Angeles Dodgers – In a non-save capacity, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the ninth, closing out a six-run margin over the Giants. He threw 13 pitches (76.9% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%) against the 4-5-6 lineup pocket.
- Michael Kopech issued two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth.
- Justin Wrobleski logged 2.1 clean frames, striking out four.
- Kirby Yates continued his struggles, giving up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the fifth.
- Edgardo Henriquez collected his first win, striking out the side at the bottom of the fourth, ahead of his teammates’ six-run outburst at the top of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tanner Scott | *Michael Kopech | *Blake Treinen
*= closer-by-committee
New York Mets – Forced into action at the top of the eighth, Edwin Díaz took over with a one-run lead, but let an inherited runner score after walking Josh Jung, followed by Rowdy Tellez’s RBI double, before inducing an inning-ending groundout. Returning for the ninth, Díaz gave up Cody Freeman’s lead-off single, recorded outs on a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, but Wyatt Langford produced a go-ahead RBI single, resulting in his third loss and third blown save. He finished with three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one across 1.1 innings. He threw 25 pitches (64% strike rate) and produced two whiffs.
This outing tied a career high of nine appearances in a season, requiring more than three outs.
- Tyler Rogers was credited with his 29th hold but allowed a hit, two runs (one earned), and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Brooks Raley gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tyler Rogers | Brooks Raley
Philadelphia Phillies – Reducing his team’s division clinching magic number to one, Jhoan Duran fired a clean top of the ninth, retiring the Royals’ 1-2-3 lineup pocket in order while locking down his 30th save, 14th with the Phillies. He threw nine pitches (77.8% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) while striking out one.
Through six outings in September, he has converted six saves, retiring 18 of 20 batters while striking out eight (40 K-BB%).
- David Robertson allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out two during the eighth, getting credit for his eighth hold.
- Matt Strahm gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while posting his 20th hold in the seventh.
- Tanner Banks retired the side, securing his eighth hold during the sixth inning.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Duran | Matt Strahm | David Robertson
Seattle Mariners – Although his slider was not sharp, Matt Brash recorded his fourth save, finishing an eventual two-run win over the Angels. He allowed Taylor Ward’s lead-off solo home run, followed by Jo Adell’s single, then bore down, inducing a double play groundout and a game-ending strikeout. Brash threw 19 pitches (63.2% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%) while allowing two hits and an earned run at the top of the ninth.
- Caleb Ferguson allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts during a scoreless eighth, notching his 14th hold.
- Luke Jackson retired the side, securing his fourth hold in the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Tampa Bay Rays – Working into and then out of trouble, Pete Fairbanks took over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, issuing Dansby Swanson a walk, allowing a stolen base, and throwing a wild pitch, putting him on third. Willi Castro also walked, placing runners on the corners with no outs. Fairbanks bore down, inducing a fielder’s choice groundout with Swanson thrown out at home, then recorded back-to-back strikeouts, securing his career best, 26th save. He threw 25 pitches (56% strike rate) and generated eight whiffs (32 SwStr%).
- Bryan Baker gave up a hit during a scoreless bottom of the eighth and collected his fourth win after his teammates rallied at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Edwin Uceta | Bryan Baker
Texas Rangers – Summoned at the bottom of the ninth with a runner on first and one out, Shawn Armstrong recorded a strikeout against Pete Alonso, allowed Ronny Mauricio’s single, then produced a game-ending strikeout of Brandon Nimmo, securing his ninth save. He threw 15 pitches (73.3% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
In his last 11 appearances, he has converted all six save chances, posting a 0.787 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against three walks across 12.2 innings.
- Phil Maton was awarded his fourth win. He stranded two runners at the bottom of the eighth, retiring his only batter faced via strikeout, and recorded another strikeout in the ninth before allowing Juan Soto’s single, forcing his removal.
Hierarchy Remains: Shawn Armstrong | Phil Maton | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Sealing a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, John Curtiss collected his third win, logging two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, and striking out two.
- Boston Red Sox: Appearing with his team down by one run, Aroldis Chapman allowed a two-out single by Aaron Judge, threw a wild pitch moving him to second, then gave up Cody Bellinger’s RBI double, uncorked another wild pitch, and then induced an inning-ending groundout by Jazz Chisolm Jr. Chapman has allowed a run in his last two games after recording a 17-game hitless and scoreless streak.
- Chicago Cubs: Not only did Brad Keller have his 21-game scoreless streak snapped, but he suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, including a lead-off solo home run by Nick Fortes on a hanging slider, and a walk at the top of the ninth. Porter Hodge was tagged with his third blown save, giving up a game-tying Junior Caminero solo home run among his two hits, and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
- Cincinnati Reds: Even though he stranded two runners at the bottom of the fifth, Nick Martinez was charged with his 13th loss, allowing two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three over his 2.2 innings against the A’s.
- Detroit Tigers: Handed a one-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, Rafael Montero allowed an infield single, moving the “place” runner to third, induced a fielder’s choice groundout, scoring an unearned run, then gave up a walk-off, two-run home run by Troy Johnston, resulting in his second loss. He finished with two hits and three runs (two earned) during one-third of an inning.
- Kansas City Royals: During a tied game at the bottom of the fifth, Angel Zerpa allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his second loss.
- Miami Marlins: Taking over with the bases loaded and one out at the top of the 11th, Cade Simpson recorded an out on a passed ball with the runner out at home base, issued Jahmai Jones an intentional walk, and recorded his second out on an inning-ending strikeout of Parker Meadows. Simpson collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Abner Uribe hit Victor Scott II with a pitch, then walked Brendan Donovan to load the bases before inducing a double play groundout, scoring the “place” runner, followed by an inning-ending groundout. He collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame. He threw 15 pitches (46.7% strike rate) without a whiff. This was his first appearance since September 5.
- Minnesota Twins: Another day, and another rough outing for Cole Sands. He suffered his fifth loss, giving up two hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks while striking out two at the top of the tenth against Arizona. He has allowed seven runs (six earned) over the last two days.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: After warming up for a save opportunity, Dennis Santana tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth, issuing James Wood a one-out walk, finishing a four-run win over the Nationals. Carmen Mlodzinski collected his fourth win, logging two scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and striking out three.
- The Athletics: With the score tied at the top of the seventh, Brady Basso retired the side against the Reds, earning his first win after a go-ahead rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Toronto Blue Jays: For a second straight day, Braydon Fisher collected a win. He allowed Coby Mayo’s one-out home run and issued a walk while striking out one at the top of the ninth, then benefited from his team’s three-run rally at the bottom of the frame for his sixth win.
- Washington Nationals: Entering a tied game at the top of the eighth, Cole Henry issued two walks that resulted in two earned runs and his second loss. PJ Poulin let both inherited runners score, giving up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth, getting tagged with his second blown save.
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