Austin Pruitt picked up a very long save today. He pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Rays. Sergio Romo started the game and allowed three runs in four batters. Vidal Nuno pitched three innings and left with the lead against Baltimore. Pruitt pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing no runs and no walks while striking out five. The official scorer decided that was good enough for a save as the Rays win 8-3.
It is the fourth official save great than five innings. Joaquin Benoit went seven innings on 9/3/2002, Horacio Pina went six innings on 4/23/1972, and Bob Locker went 5 2/3 innings on 8/12/1970. The way the Rays are using openers, we may see this more often.
Lookin’ at the boxscore, I just love seeing the closer having the most IP in a game. This made me look at all the boxscores, & he pitched longer than 11 starters did yesterday….
– Matt Strahm (2)
– Garrett Richards (2 1/3)
– Kevin Gausman (2 2/3)
– tyler Chatwood (2 2/3)
– Ty Blach (3)
– Chris Sale (4 1/3)
– Stephen Strasburg (5)
– Elieser Hernandez (5)
– Nick Pivetta (5)
– Jason Hammel (5 1/3)
– Matt Harvey (5 1/3)
…and I’m not even counting Romo, since he probably wasn’t intended to go 5+. If we do though, then Pruitt pitched more in this save than 40% (12 out of the 30) of Sunday’s starters. I’m guessing that’s never happened before.