Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 8/6/2004

Question
I have a pressing question. I was recently watching a Yankees' telecast and the announcer stated that "a reliever can come into the eighth inning in a one-run game, get a double play, but still get a blown save if a run scores on the play. I'm curious: At what point in a game is a blown save possible? What if the closer came in for some weird reason in the fifth inning, and allowed a game-tying homerun? I doubt that would be considered a blown save. Also, what if the "non-closer" came in? What if a middle reliever or perhaps another starter came into the game during the eighth, and allowed a tying hit. Would that be a blown save?  

Answer
John,

Any time a reliever comes into a game and blows a lead for another pitcher that would qualify for a win, that pitcher is 'credited' for a blown save.

So, if a pitcher relieves in the fifth and blows the lead, that wouldn't be a blown save because the starting pitcher had not pitched enough innings to qualify for the win.  But if he blows the lead with one out in the sixth, that would be a blown save.

If a pitcher in the game would qualify for a save, if they pitched effectively the rest of the way, then they will get a blown save if they blow the lead.

In fact, non closers tend to have more blown saves, because they more often come in earlier in the game when there are more chances for lead changes.  And the official scorer doesn't care if the pitcher is usually a starter.  If they relieve and blow the game, a blown save is all theirs!

Hope this helps!

Brian