this is a save?

[luvstobowl]

I was watching the Cubs game today, Zambrano pitched 5 innings and left with a 9-0 lead, a reliever comes in and pitches the final 4 innings and gets a save???

 

[Ryanwb]

You can get a save if you pitch the last 3 innings of the game in relief regardless of the score

 

[jpjapes]

You can get a save if you pitch the last 3 innings of the game in relief regardless of the score

The score matters.

you have to be winning. and keep the lead

 

[Ryanwb]

The score matters.

you have to be winning. and keep the lead

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[Mulli]

The score matters.

you have to be winning. and keep the lead

If the Cubs had not been winning, but then regained the lead, and the reliever finished the game, the reliever would get the win, Ryan. Just so you know.

 

[ActingWild]

I was watching the Cubs game today, Zambrano pitched 5 innings and left with a 9-0 lead, a reliever comes in and pitches the final 4 innings and gets a save???

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense to me. Score does matter and I always thought it could only be a save if your team was winning by 3 runs or less when you entered the game. Obviously this guy came in with a 9 run lead, not sure how that qualifies as a save.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

i thought it had to deal with if the potential winning run comes up to bat

maybe in this instance with a 9 run lead if you pitch 3 innings you face at least 9 batters so in theory the potential winning run could come to bat?!!?

 

[Highpointer]

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense to me. Score does matter and I always thought it could only be a save if your team was winning by 3 runs or less when you entered the game. Obviously this guy came in with a 9 run lead, not sure how that qualifies as a save.

He earns a save because he pitched three or more innings, regardless of the score.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

He earns a save because he pitched three or more innings, regardless of the score.

Closers work one inning, and notch a save.

and I always thought it could only be a save if your team was winning by 3 runs or less when you entered the game. Obviously this guy came in with a 9 run lead, not sure how that qualifies as a save.

I don't know baseball all that well, but this is what I always thought too.

 

[ActingWild]

thought I'd go ahead and look it up....here's what I found....guess we're all kinda right here, including the games score keeper.

"To qualify for a Save, a pitcher must finish the game that is won by his team, and he must not be credited with the Win. In addition he must meet one of the following qualifications: the pitcher must, 1),enter the game with a lead of no more than three and pitch at least one full inning, or 2), enter the game with a tie score and runners on base, or 3), pitch effectively (subject to the scorekeeper’s judgment) for three or more innings."