-
Justin Martinez RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Justin Martinez: Charged with loss
Martinez (5-4) was tagged with Sunday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to Tampa Bay. He allowed one unearned run on one hit, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over 1.1 innings.
Martinez, who had saves in three of his previous five appearances, was bypassed in the bottom of the 10th with Arizona up by a run. Instead, manager Torey Lovullo rolled with Kevin Ginkel, who was the pitcher of record and allowed the Rays to tie the game. Martinez pitched the the next two frames, wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the 11th before ceding the winning run in the 12th. This was the second consecutive appearance in which Martinez was charged with a walk-off loss.
-
Kevin Ginkel RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Unable to hold lead
Ginkel allowed one unearned run on two hits and struck out two over 1.1 innings in Sunday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays.
Ginkel was the pitcher of record when Arizona took a 7-6 lead in the top half of the 10th inning -- the Diamondbacks scored six combined runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to force extra innings. He was unable to hold the lead and spoiled what would have been a dramatic comeback win. It's unclear why manager Torey Lovullo didn't go with a rested Justin Martinez, who has been given the bulk of save opportunities since Paul Sewald was removed as the team's closer.
-
Raisel Iglesias RP | ATL
Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Earns save No. 26
Iglesias picked up the save over the Angels on Sunday, tossing a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.
Iglesias was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the ninth and did so without any trouble. He struck out Kevin Pillar to begin the frame before retiring the last two batters on easy groundouts. Iglesias has now recorded 18 straight saves since his last blown opportunity May 3. He hasn't allowed an earned run since June 16. The 34-year-old owns a 1.51 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 46:8 K:BB in 47.2 innings and is tied for sixth in baseball with 26 saves.
-
Tyler Alexander RP | TEX
Rays' Tyler Alexander: Pitches well in bulk role
Alexander did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out five.
Alexander entered at the start of the third inning and pitched all the way into the eighth, allowing just one run prior to a two-run homer by Corbin Carroll. He then allowed a single to Lourdes Gurriel that ended his outing one out short of six full frames. Despite the two late runs allowed, Alexander was still in line for the win until the Diamondbacks touched up closer Pete Fairbanks for three runs in the ninth to send the game into extras. The 5.2 innings represented Alexander's longest outing since tossing 7.1 innings on May 17.
-
Kyle Finnegan RP | DET
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Collects 31st save
Finnegan pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 31st save of the season Sunday against the Phillies, allowing one hit with zero strikeouts.
Finnegan allowed a leadoff single to Edmundo Sosa, but he quickly put an end to the scare, inducing a double play and a groundout to secure his 31st save of the season, good for third in MLB. The 32-year-old has been shaky since the All-Star break, logging an unsightly 8.38 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 6:5 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Despite the rough patch, Finnegan has converted all six save chances during that span and is now 31-for-35 in save opportunities this season.
-
Seranthony Dominguez RP | SEA
Orioles' Seranthony Dominguez: Collects fourth save
Dominguez earned his fourth save of the season Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing one earned run on one hit and zero walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out three.
Dominguez allowed a solo home run to Rob Refsnyder in the ninth but was otherwise excellent, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and striking out three batters in the ninth inning. With incumbent closer Craig Kimbrel allowing earned runs in back-to-back appearances, manager Brandon Hyde appears to have turned over the closer role to the newly acquired Dominguez. The 29-year-old Dominguez has been superb since coming over from Philadelphia on July 26, converting all three of his save chances while logging a robust 1.74 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 10.1 innings.
-
Josh Hader RP | HOU
Astros' Josh Hader: Slams door for save
Hader struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn a save against the White Sox on Sunday.
Hader carved through the top of the White Sox order with ease to pick up his 27th save of the year. Despite some shakiness throughout the season, he's now converted 27 straight save chances since blowing his first opportunity as an Astro on April 2. Hader is currently riding a 9.1-inning scoreless streak, lowering his season ERA to 3.42 alongside a terrific 84:18 K:BB through 55.1 frames.
-
Michael Kopech SP | LAD
Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Secures save Sunday
Kopech threw a scoreless inning to earn a save against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Kopech threw seven of 12 pitches for strikes and finished the game on a double-play ball after a runner reached base on an error. He's now turned in 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his Dodgers career and earned two saves during the weekend series against St. Louis. With Daniel Hudson (8.64 ERA over his last nine appearances) and Evan Phillips (no saves since July 23) seemingly falling out of favor, the Dodgers may use Kopech in the ninth inning more often. Kopech owns a 3.91 ERA with a 72:25 K:BB through 53 innings this season.
-
Jared Koenig RP | MIL
Brewers' Jared Koenig: Notches first save
Koenig threw a perfect inning to earn a save against Cleveland on Sunday.
Koenig needed just 12 pitches (seven strikes) to finish off the 2-0 win. It was his first career MLB save, and he dropped his season ERA to 2.09. Koenig owns a 12:4 K:BB and a 3.86 ERA since returning from the injured list July 21. Both Devin Williams and Joel Payamps pitched in three of the four previous games and did not appear in Sunday's win.
-
Calvin Faucher RP | MIA
Marlins' Calvin Faucher: Notches third save
Faucher pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his third save of the season Sunday against the Mets. He allowed two hits and zero walks while striking out two batters.
Called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth, Faucher stumbled by allowing back-to-back singles to start the inning. He recovered nicely, however, striking out Jeff McNeil and inducing a Francisco Lindor flyout before striking out Mark Vientos to end the game. The 28-year-old Faucher has pitched well since taking over the Marlins' closer role following the Tanner Scott trade on July 30. Faucher owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB in eight innings since the trade, converting three of four save opportunities.