Kimbrel becomes 11th pitcher to record 50-save season
Having already ran away with the National League East division title and still locked into the race for best record in the NL, the Atlanta Braves continued to chalk up accolades on Friday night.
Closer Craig Kimbrel was called on for the 67th time this season, tasked with shutting the door on a 1-0 Braves lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. Kimbrel delivered with a pair of strikeouts and a three-up, three-down inning, good for his 50th save of the season.
In a sport obsessed with nice round numbers, Kimbrel becomes the 11th pitcher in MLB history to record 50 saves in a season.
| Pitcher | Saves | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Francisco Rodriguez | 62 | 2008 |
| Bobby Thigpen | 57 | 1990 |
| Eric Gagne | 55 | 2003 |
| John Smoltz | 55 | 2002 |
| Trevor Hoffman | 53 | 1998 |
| Randy Myers | 53 | 1993 |
| Mariano Rivera | 53 | 2004 |
| Eric Gagne | 52 | 2002 |
| Rod Beck | 51 | 1998 |
| Dennis Eckersley | 51 | 1992 |
| Jim Johnson | 51 | 2012 |
| Mariano Rivera | 50 | 2001 |
| Craig Kimbrel | 50+ | 2013 |
At 25-years old, Kimbrel is the youngest pitcher in MLB history to record a 50 save season. He has two more opportunities to add to his total against the Phillies this weekend.
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