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Andrew Chafin RP | CIN
Diamondbacks' Andrew Chafin: Works eighth inning again
Chafin got the final out of the eighth inning in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Giants.
Starter Zac Gallen cruised through 7.2 innings before giving up a run-producing double on his 97th pitch. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo brought in Chafin for the left-handed hitting LaMonte Wade to escape the inning. The appearance in the eighth inning was the second straight for Chafin, who's been the Diamondbacks' primary closer but has hit a rough patch over the last week. The left-hander will continue to pitch in high-leverage situations, but Chafin may not be the automatic ninth-inning option for now.
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Kendall Graveman RP | ARI
White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Notches second save
Graveman picked up a save against the Astros on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.
Graveman got the call with the White Sox holding a 3-1 ninth-inning lead. The right-hander surrendered an infield single to the first batter he faced before retiring the next three Astros in order. Graveman has notched each of Chicago's past two saves, so he appears to have temporarily moved up to the top of the team's closer pecking order. However, he'll likely slide out of the role once Liam Hendriks (illness) is ready to return to the big club.
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Felix Bautista RP | BAL
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Nails down 10th save
Bautista recorded a save against the Pirates on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out three batters in a scoreless inning.
Bautista got the ball in the ninth frame with Baltimore holding a 2-0 lead. The right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Bryan Reynolds before fanning the following three batters. Bautista picked up his 10th save of the campaign, tied for third-most in the league. He's allowed just three earned runs over 19 innings on the season.
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Giovanny Gallegos RP | LAD
Cardinals' Giovanny Gallegos: Nabs third save
Gallegos picked up the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox. He allowed one hit over one scoreless inning. He didn't record a strikeout.
Gallegos retired Raimel Tapia and Jarren Duran to open up the ninth before Triston Casas hit a single as a pinch hitter, but he never advanced past first base. Gallegos remains firmly behind Ryan Helsley as the Cardinals' closer and likely saw the save opportunity because Helsley threw two perfect innings Friday. Through 14.2 innings, Gallegos owns a 2.45 ERA with 12 strikeouts and has converted three of his four save attempts.
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Kenley Jansen RP | DET
Red Sox's Kenley Jansen: Blows another save
Jansen (1-2) blew the save and took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on one hit and three walks with no strikeouts over one inning.
Jansen failed to convert a save opportunity for the second straight game, giving up three runs and three walks in the top of the ninth after Chris Sale handed him a 3-1 lead. The typically reliable closer has been off his game recently, giving up six runs over his last two appearances and blowing three of his last six save chances. However, given his pedigree and track record of ninth inning success, Jansen's job appears to be safe, though the Red Sox could give other relievers some closing looks if his struggles continue.
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Reynaldo Lopez RP | ATL
White Sox's Reynaldo Lopez: More setup work Saturday
Lopez allowed one earned run on two hits while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's game against the Astros.
Lopez entered the game in the seventh inning with the task of protecting a one-run lead. He allowed a pair of singles prior to being pulled but was charged with a run after Joe Kelly allowed an inherited runner to score. Lopez has now allowed at least one earned run in four of his last six appearances, during which he's also tallied one save while blowing two opportunities and also taking a loss. Meanwhile, Kendall Graveman has picked up each of the White Sox's last two saves. That combination certainly suggests Lopez isn't currently an option in the mix to serve as the team's closer, and it won't get any better for him once teammate Liam Hendriks returns to the mix.
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Gregory Soto RP | PIT
Phillies' Gregory Soto: Perfect inning for save
Soto pitched a perfect inning to earn his first save of the season in Saturday's 7-4 win over the Rockies.
Soto had no trouble protecting a three-run lead, retiring the side on 10 pitches. This was his first outing since Jose Alvarado (elbow) landed on the injured list. Craig Kimbrel got the first save chance Friday, but Soto should also be in the mix in what's likely to be a closer committee for the next few weeks. Soto has a 4.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB while logging seven holds over 20 appearances (18 innings) this season.
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Caleb Ferguson RP | STL
Dodgers' Caleb Ferguson: Gets first save
Ferguson struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Padres.
Brusdar Graterol allowed a pair of two-out singles in the ninth inning, but Ferguson was able to strike out Jake Cronenworth on five pitches to end the threat. Ferguson has two wins and a save over his last three appearances, and he stretched his scoreless streak to 11.1 innings. The southpaw has a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB across 15.1 innings while adding five holds and a 3-0 record this season. As long as he's pitching well, he should continue to serve in a setup role.
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Joan Adon SP | WAS
Nationals' Joan Adon: Will be 27th man against Mets
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Adon will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to serve as the club's 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader with the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Since the doubleheader Sunday includes the resumption of Saturday's suspended game, Adon won't be eligible to pitch until the second game of the day, which will be a traditional nine-inning contest. He'll provide some length out of the bullpen for the second contest behind starter Jake Irvin.
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Aaron Loup RP | LAA
Angels' Aaron Loup: Throws bullpen session
Loup (hamstring) felt good after throwing a bullpen session Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The bullpen session was already Loup's second since he hit the injured list with a strained right hamstring on Friday, and he's scheduled to throw a third on Monday. He'll be eligible to return next Saturday.