How does a guy come in with a 17-4 lead, give up three runs in three innings, and get credit for a save?
This one is an easy one.
3 ways to get a save, per MLB rule 10.20
- He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
- He is not the winning pitcher; and
He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
- He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
- He enters the game, regardless of the score, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or
- He pitches for at least three innings. Under the last condition, the official scorer has some discretion as to whether or not to award a save. It was at home, so the official scorer gave him a save. Had it been in Cincinnati, no way that's a save.