Aroldis Chapman unavailable with lat tightness

Miller was summoned to protect a three-run lead with Aroldis Chapman presumably unavailable due to an ongoing lat issue. Things got interesting after Victor Mesa Jr. reached on an infield single and Yandy Díaz drew a one-out walk to bring the potential tying run to the plate. A ground out by ensuing batter Jonathan Aranda brought a run home before Miller wisely elected to walk red-hot Junior Caminero. A wild pitch enabled Ryan Vilade to reach base safely after striking out before Miller got speedster Chandler Simpson to ground out to end the contest. Miller has been phenomenal as a setup specialist since coming over from the Giants at the trade deadline, but there’s a chance he picks up a few more saves down the home stretch depending on Chapman’s health and availability, which gives him some short-term fantasy appeal.

Whitlock got Brandon Nimmo on a ground ball to first base to start the inning, then made things a bit more interesting as he issued a one-out walk to Wyatt Langford. He escaped trouble right away though, getting Jake Burger to ground into a game-ending double play. Whitlock has been excellent for the Red Sox this season, registering a 1.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 58/8 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings, tallying seven wins and four saves in the process.

Chapman walked the first two batters he faced, only to strike out three in a row afterwards. Chapman is tied with David Bednar for fifth in the majors in saves. They’re six behind fellow AL East closer Bryan Baker.

Whitlock struck out two. He’s faced the minimum over three innings in his three appearances since coming off the IL, and he has a 1.88 ERA in 48 innings on the season.

Chapman, the ninth pitcher in major league history with 400 saves, reached back and found 101 on his final pitch, striking out Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He saved three of Boston’s four wins in Baltimore. He’ll probably be down Monday after this, which could lead to a save chance for Garrett Whitlock.

Chapman locked down the save against the Orioles on Friday night, retiring the side in order while recording one strikeout. It was his 32nd save of the season. Chapman now has 399 career saves and with one more he’ll become the ninth pitcher in MLB history to join the 400 saves club.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand took Chapman deep in a three-run game. It was the third homer allowed by Chapman in 46 2/3 innings this season, but it didn’t stop him from picking up save No. 398 of his career.

Interim manager Chad Tracy made what we would argue was a bad call after getting Chapman up with the Red Sox down 8-7 in the eighth, only to stick with Alec Gamboa in the top of the ninth. That was especially the case after Gamboa gave up a leadoff triple. Gamboa, though, escaped to keep the deficit at one before the offense came back and tied the game, and Chapman stranded the automatic runner in the 10th, after which the Red Sox won in the bottom of the inning.

Whitlock returns to Boston’s high-leverage mix for Saturday’s critical doubleheader against the division-rival Yankees. The 30-year-old setup specialist wound up requiring just a minimum stay on the injured list with elbow inflammation. He’s forged a sparkling 2.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 49/7 K/BB ratio across 44 innings of work this season.

Whitlock would end up missing just the minimum 15-day stint if he does receive that activation. The 30-year-old will be a high-leverage option whether he returns to the Red Sox on Saturday or a day or two later.