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Game 152: Career Saves Record Holder, Mariano Rivera

On the Hall of Fame plaque for Mariano Rivera, it will read that he became the sole leader of saves in a career on September 19, 2011. He saved today’s game against the Minnesota Twins in a 6-4 victory.

 

The Yankees closer continues to make the job he has done for so long, seem so simple as he has a perfect 9th inning, finished with a strikeout looking at a back door cutter by rookie Chris Parmalee for his 43rd save of the season and 602nd of his illustrious career.

 

Despite the fact that the 9th inning was such a monumental part of not just Yankees history, but baseball history, there was still 8 other innings played. A.J. Burnett started today’s game in hopes of building on his last start in which he struck out a season-high 11. In the first 3 innings, he appeared to be very sharp. He held the Twins down as the Yankees offense supported the erratic righty. Unfortunately 3 innings of effective pitching is not enough to get the win. Burnett struggled and gave up 3 hits, including a two-run home run, in the 5th and could not get an out as he lasted just 4.

 

The Yankees offense came out of the gate with a hot bat as the first 3 batters reached base, including Curtis Granderson’s 42nd home run. In the 1st 3 innings, when Burnett was shutting down the Twins injured offense, the Yankees offense managed 5 runs off of Thomas Diamond, who also did not last past the 4th inning. Alex Rodriguez supplied insurance with a run-scoring single.

 

Rafael Soriano and David Robertson handled the 7th and 8th inning, respectively. This completed the bridge to the dependable Mariano Rivera. The Yankees have turned to Mariano Rivera time and time again and he has always been able to shut the door and add another win to the season. He got 3 quick outs and had no problem with the Twins as Rivera continues helping the Yankees creep closer and closer to October baseball, a time that he is very accustomed to and is practically dominant in.

 

Ryan Nakada

@adakannayr