Bryan Baker keeps finding the ninth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays keep finding ways to win.
On Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, the Rays took Game 2 of the American League Championship Series from the Cleveland Guardians, 3-1, and evened the series after dropping Game 1, 7-3, on Monday. Baker finished it off with a clean 1-2-3 inning, striking out one and needing just eight pitches to lock down the save as Tampa Bay protected a 3-1 lead.
That save was the fourth of his postseason, which now stands as the most in franchise history.
Baker didn’t just set the mark in one night. He has run through the postseason with the kind of command that turns a late lead into a sure thing.
Against Cleveland, he retired the side in order. Across four postseason innings, he has five strikeouts, a 0.00 ERA and a 0.25 WHIP.
His work started in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, where he appeared in all three games and picked up the save each time. Over that stretch, he didn’t allow a hit, walked one and struck out four as Tampa Bay swept the series.
That makes the history even bigger: Baker became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a save in at least four straight appearances without allowing a hit since saves became an official stat in 1969.
The 31-year-old has also converted 34 consecutive saves, and Tampa Bay is now 89-0 in games it has led after eight innings, with Baker playing a major role in that run.
After closing out Game 3 of the ALDS, Baker was asked what it felt like to keep delivering in these moments.
"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 told he was only the fourth pitcher in MLB history to save all three of his first save opportunities in the postseason, Baker pointed back to the team around him.
“I would’ve had no idea. That’s incredible,” Baker 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.”
With the series tied and the Rays heading to Cleveland for Game 3 on Thursday, Baker’s postseason has already become part of franchise history. Tampa Bay now needs three more wins to reach the World Series, and if the late innings stay tight, Baker should be in the middle of it again.
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