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On Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Rays secured a 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. The win leveled the series at 1-1 after the Rays dropped the opener 7-3 on Monday.
With just five postseason games under his belt, Rays closer Bryan Baker etched his name into franchise history by nailing down the save in Game 2. Protecting a 3-1 lead, Baker retired the side in order, striking out one batter and needing only eight pitches to record the save.
It marked Baker's fourth save of the postseason, giving him the most career postseason saves in Rays franchise history. The right-hander has been virtually untouchable for Tampa Bay, appearing in all three games of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and earning a save in each contest. He did not allow a hit in that series, issuing one walk and striking out four across the sweep.
In the ALCS Game 2 outing against Cleveland, Baker added another strikeout in his perfect inning. Overall this postseason, he owns a 0.00 ERA and a 0.25 WHIP with five strikeouts over four innings. Remarkably, Baker has notched these saves in the Rays' first four wins of the postseason, a feat accomplished in a single playoff run.
Furthermore, the veteran righty became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a save in at least four consecutive appearances without allowing a hit since saves became an official statistic in 1969. The 31-year-old has also converted 34 straight save opportunities. Tampa Bay has now won all 89 games in which it held a lead after eight innings, with Baker serving as a key contributor to that streak.
Key Analysis
After closing out Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Baker was asked about his feelings on saving all three games. "This is everything you work for right here, to play in situations like this and then get to celebrate with your buddies after," Baker said. When informed that he was only the fourth pitcher in MLB history to convert his first three postseason save chances, Baker deflected credit to his team. "I would've had no idea. That's incredible," he said. "I've been saying it all year; this team has been so awesome all year and allowing me the opportunity to go out there in those situations. We play a lot of tight ballgames, so there's been a lot of opportunities. Getting to throw the ball in the ninth inning and secure wins for this team, it's an honor."
Baker's postseason career is off to a historic start, and the Rays will need three more wins to reach the World Series, potentially providing him with more save opportunities along the way.