How Do You Earn A Save In Baseball: Understanding The Rules

To earn a save in baseball, a relief pitcher must finish a game for their team, meet specific lead requirements, and not be the winning pitcher.

The save is one of baseball’s most sought-after statistics for pitchers, a testament to their ability to slam the door shut on the opposing team’s comeback attempt. It’s a badge of honor, signaling that a pitcher effectively protected a lead and secured a victory. But what exactly does it take for a pitcher to achieve this coveted status? It’s not as simple as just coming in and pitching well. There are specific criteria, set forth by Major League Baseball, that must be met.

The Core Requirements for a Save

At its heart, a save is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters a game in a save situation and successfully finishes the game. However, “save situation” and “finishes the game” have precise meanings within the official rules. Let’s break down the fundamental conditions:

The Pitcher is Not the Winning Pitcher: This is a crucial rule. If a pitcher comes in, pitches well, and their team takes the lead while they are on the mound, and they remain in the game to finish it, they will likely be credited with the winning pitcher’s decision, not a save.
The Pitcher is a Relief Pitcher: This means the pitcher did not start the game. Only pitchers who enter the game after the starting pitcher are eligible for a save.
The Pitcher Finishes the Game: This means the pitcher records the final out of the game. They must pitch from the moment they enter until the final out is recorded, without being replaced by another pitcher.
The Pitcher Enters in a Save Situation: This is where things get a bit more nuanced. A save situation is defined by the game’s score and the base-running situation when the pitcher enters the game.

Defining a “Save Situation”

A relief pitcher can be credited with a save if they satisfy one of the following three conditions upon entering the game:

Entering with a Lead of Not More Than Three Runs: The pitcher enters the game with their team leading by three runs or fewer and pitches at least one full inning.
- Example: A pitcher enters in the bottom of the 8th inning with their team leading 3-1. They pitch the 8th and 9th innings, and their team wins the game. If they don’t lose the lead and are not the winning pitcher, they get the save.
Entering with the Potential Tying Run on Base, at Bat, or on Deck: The pitcher enters the game with the tying run on base, at the plate, or the next batter scheduled to bat. The lead can be any size in this scenario.
- Example: A pitcher enters in the bottom of the 9th inning with their team leading 5-2. There are runners on first and second base, and the opposing team’s best hitter is at bat. The tying run would be the runner on first, as scoring three runs would tie the game. If the pitcher preserves the lead, they earn a save.
Pitching Effectively for at Least Three Innings: The pitcher pitches at least three full innings and preserves a lead, regardless of the score when they entered. This is often referred to as a “three-inning save.”
- Example: A starting pitcher gets into trouble early, and a relief pitcher enters in the top of the 4th inning with their team leading 1-0. This pitcher proceeds to pitch the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th innings, allowing no runs and ensuring their team wins 1-0. They would be credited with a save, even though they entered with a small lead and pitched for a significant duration.

The Nuances and Potential Pitfalls

While the conditions for a save seem straightforward, several situations can complicate things and prevent a pitcher from earning a save, even if they pitch well.

The “Blown Save”

A blown save occurs when a pitcher enters a game in a save situation, relinquishes the lead, and their team ultimately loses the game. More specifically, a blown save is charged to a pitcher who enters the game in a save situation but:

Allows the tying run to score.
Allows the go-ahead run to score.

If a pitcher blows a save and their team still manages to win the game (perhaps by coming back later), the pitcher who originally blew the save is not credited with a save. Another relief pitcher might then be in a position to earn a save by finishing the game.

Inherited Runners and Pitcher Earned Run

A critical aspect to consider is the inherited runner. When a relief pitcher enters the game, there might be runners already on base. These runners are called inherited runners. If one of these inherited runners scores, the pitcher earned run for that runner is charged to the pitcher who was on the mound when that runner reached base, not the relief pitcher who entered the game.

However, if the relief pitcher allows a runner they themselves put on base to score, that run counts against them. This is important for calculating their earned run average (ERA), but it doesn’t directly impact their ability to earn a save, as long as the save conditions are met. The primary concern for a save is preserving the lead.

Let’s look at how inherited runners can affect the save:

Scenario A: Inherited runner scores, save earned.
- Pitcher A enters with a 4-2 lead in the 9th, bases loaded, two outs. The lead is 2 runs.
- Pitcher A allows the runner on third (inherited) to score. The score is now 4-3.
- Pitcher A then records the final out.
- Pitcher A earns a save because they entered with a lead of more than three runs but with the bases loaded (tying run on base), and they finished the game without losing the lead. The run that scored was charged to Pitcher B (who was on the mound before Pitcher A), not Pitcher A.
Scenario B: Inherited runner scores, blown save.
- Pitcher A enters with a 4-3 lead in the 9th, runners on second and third, one out. The lead is 1 run, and the tying run is on second.
- Pitcher A allows the runner on third (inherited) to score. The score is now 4-4.
- Pitcher A then allows the next batter to hit a sacrifice fly, scoring the runner from second. The score is now 4-5.
- Pitcher A is charged with a blown save because they entered in a save situation and allowed the go-ahead run to score.

The “Pitcher’s Decision” vs. The Save

A pitcher can only receive one decision in a game: either a win, a loss, or a no-decision. As mentioned, a pitcher who earns a save cannot be the winning pitcher. If a relief pitcher enters with their team trailing, and their team subsequently takes the lead while that pitcher is in the game, that pitcher is eligible for the win. If they finish the game, they get the win, not the save.

The winning pitcher is typically the pitcher of record when the winning team takes the lead for good. If a relief pitcher enters in a save situation, preserves the lead, and finishes the game, they are often credited with a save and their team wins. However, if that same pitcher were to enter with the game tied or their team trailing and their team then took the lead, they would be awarded the win, not the save.

The Role of the Closing Pitcher

The pitcher most often associated with earning saves is the closing pitcher. This is a specialized role within a baseball team, typically filled by a pitcher with a strong fastball, excellent command, and the ability to shut down opposing offenses in high-pressure situations. Closers are brought in during the late innings of close games, often in the 8th or 9th, specifically to preserve a lead and earn a save.

While closers are the primary recipients of saves, any relief pitcher on a team can earn a save if they meet the criteria. It’s not exclusive to the designated closer. For instance, if the closer is unavailable due to injury or having pitched in too many consecutive games, another relief pitcher might step into the closer role for a particular game and successfully earn a save.

What Happens When the Game Continues After a Save?

Once a pitcher has earned a save by finishing the game, they cannot lose that save. Even if the opposing team somehow staged a miraculous comeback after the final out (which is impossible by definition of finishing the game), the save would stand. The save is awarded at the moment the final out is recorded by the eligible pitcher.

The Value of a Save

Saves are a measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness in high-leverage situations. They indicate a pitcher’s ability to perform under pressure and protect a lead. For closers, accumulating saves is a significant part of their career resume and often contributes to their consideration for All-Star selections and Hall of Fame induction. A high save total signifies a pitcher who consistently delivers in crucial moments.

Historical Perspective and Evolution of the Save Rule

The save statistic was officially introduced by Major League Baseball in 1969. Before its adoption, similar performances would have simply been recorded as “pitched well” or perhaps been part of a pitcher’s win/loss record. The save statistic was created to recognize the specific contribution of relief pitchers who entered games in challenging circumstances and successfully protected a lead without necessarily being the pitcher of record for the win.

Over the years, the rules have been refined slightly, but the core tenets of what constitutes a save have remained consistent. This has allowed for a rich history of save leaders and an ongoing pursuit of this valuable pitching accomplishment.

Example Scenarios to Solidify Comprehension

Let’s walk through a few more scenarios to ensure the rules are clear:

Scenario 1: Standard Save

Team A leads Team B 5-2 in the bottom of the 9th.
Pitcher X enters the game for Team A.
Pitcher X pitches the bottom of the 9th, allowing no runs, and records the final out.
Result: Pitcher X earns a save.

Scenario 2: Save with a Lead Over Three Runs

Team A leads Team B 6-1 in the bottom of the 8th.
Pitcher Y enters the game for Team A.
Pitcher Y pitches the 8th and 9th innings, allowing one run but preserving the lead. Team A wins 6-2.
Result: Pitcher Y earns a save (pitched at least 3 innings, maintained the lead).

Scenario 3: Save with Tying Run on Base

Team A leads Team B 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th.
Team B has runners on first and second with one out. The tying run is on second base.
Pitcher Z enters the game for Team A.
Pitcher Z gets the next batter to fly out to center field (runner on second holds).
Pitcher Z then strikes out the following batter to end the game.
Result: Pitcher Z earns a save.

Scenario 4: Blown Save

Team A leads Team B 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th.
Pitcher A enters the game for Team A.
Pitcher A gives up a two-run home run to the first batter, tying the game 4-4.
Pitcher A then allows the next batter to hit a single, and that batter eventually scores on a sacrifice fly. Team B wins 5-4.
Result: Pitcher A is charged with a blown save and the loss.

Scenario 5: No Save, but Good Pitching

Team A is losing 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th inning.
Pitcher B enters the game for Team A.
Pitcher B pitches the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings, allowing no runs.
In the top of the 8th, Team A scores two runs to take a 3-2 lead.
Team A wins the game 3-2.
Result: Pitcher B is the winning pitcher, not credited with a save. This is because they were the pitcher of record when their team took the lead for good.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a starting pitcher earn a save?
A1: No, by definition, a save is awarded only to relief pitchers. A starting pitcher who finishes the game is credited with a win or a loss, or no decision if the game remains tied when they exit.

Q2: What happens if a relief pitcher enters a tied game and his team takes the lead, and he finishes the game?
A2: That pitcher is credited with the win, not a save. A pitcher must enter in a save situation (which a tied game is not) and preserve a lead to earn a save.

Q3: Does the pitcher’s earned run average (ERA) affect their ability to earn a save?
A3: No, a pitcher’s ERA does not directly impact whether they are awarded a save. The save is based on specific game-ending criteria. However, a pitcher with a good ERA is generally more likely to be in a position to earn saves due to their effectiveness.

Q4: If a pitcher allows an inherited runner to score, can they still get a save?
A4: Yes, as long as the inherited runner’s run does not tie or give the opposing team the lead, and the pitcher finishes the game while preserving the lead, they can still earn a save. The earned run for that inherited runner is charged to the previous pitcher.

Q5: What is the difference between a blown save and a pitcher losing the game?
A5: A blown save is specifically when a pitcher enters a save situation, allows the tying or go-ahead run to score, and their team ultimately loses. A pitcher can lose the game without a blown save if they enter in a situation where their team is already trailing and the opponent extends their lead. The key is the “save situation” and allowing the tying or go-ahead run.

Q6: How many innings does a pitcher need to pitch to get a save?
A6: The pitcher must finish the game. This can be as little as one out (if they enter with the bases loaded and two outs in the 9th, and record the final out) or as many as three or more innings if they meet the criteria for a three-inning save.

Q7: Can a pitcher get both a win and a save in the same game?
A7: No, a pitcher can only be awarded one decision (win, loss, or no decision) and one save. If a pitcher meets the criteria for both, they will be awarded the win, as that is considered the more significant outcome.

Conclusion

Earning a save in baseball is a testament to a relief pitcher’s skill, composure, and ability to perform under pressure. It requires a deep comprehension of the save rules, a keen awareness of the game’s situation, and often, a strong performance in the face of adversity. By understanding the specific criteria – entering in a save situation, preserving the lead, and finishing the game without being the winning pitcher – fans can better appreciate the strategic nuances and the individual accomplishments of baseball’s game-closers. The save statistic, while seemingly simple, is a critical component of baseball’s rich tapestry of individual achievements.