So I'm looking at the box score of the 30-3 blowout and noticed that a Rangers' pitcher (Littleton) recorded a save? From what I can tell, the starter (Gabbard) pitched the first six innings and built a lead of 14-3. Then Littleton came in and closed out the game which finally ended 30-3. How is that possible he got a save?
2007-08-23 03:59:02 · 9 answers · asked by mattpetrone 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
There is a little known rule of the 3 inning save. If a pitcher finishes a game in which his team wins and he has pitched at least 3 innings and he is not the winner, he gets credited with a save.
The reason you don't see this to often is teams rarely let someone pitch the last 3 innings of a game they are winning by a bunch of runs.
Look it up, its true!
2007-08-23 04:09:29 · answer #1 · answered by Seano 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Seano is correct. Littleton got credit for a save because he pitched the last three innings.
The Wikipedia article on "save" says (quoting from the official baseball rules):
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets all four of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
(2) He is not the winning pitcher;
(3) He is credited with at least a third of an inning pitched; and
(4) He satisfies one of the following conditions:
(a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches at least one inning;
(b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batters he faces); or
(c) He pitches for at least three innings.
Littleton satisifed conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4C, so he got the save.
2007-08-23 06:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by Navigator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From Official MLB Rules:
10.19 Saves For Relief Pitchers
A save is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher, as set forth in this Rule 10.19.
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets all four of the following conditions:
(a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
(b) He is not the winning pitcher;
(c) He is credited with at least a third of an inning pitched; and
(d) He satisfies one of the following conditions:
(1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning;
(2) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batters he faces); or
(3) He pitches for at least three innings.
2007-08-23 16:15:10 · answer #3 · answered by Baseball_is_life 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He Pitched the last 3 innings so even though there was nothing to save he got the save.
2007-08-23 07:09:51 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Smith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any pitcher who pitches the final 3 innings gets a save. By rule. It doesn't matter the score. Kinda dumb I know.
2007-08-23 04:08:03 · answer #5 · answered by mrkeef 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I didn't understand this either. I thought it was limited innings with 3 or less runs to be considered a save...I must have the definition of save wrong...
2007-08-23 04:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
he pitched 3 innings in relief
2007-08-23 04:33:00 · answer #7 · answered by Miguel C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Somehow he hung on to the lead for 3 innings.
2007-08-23 04:18:15 · answer #8 · answered by Trish 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
he didnt give up any runs
2007-08-23 04:17:28 · answer #9 · answered by nyzamfam 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋