PHILADELPHIA — In an intriguing game moment, Tanner Scott accomplished a rare baseball feat by securing a save on just three pitches, becoming the fifth pitcher to do so since pitch tracking began in 1988. This remarkable effort contributed to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, boosting their record to an impressive 9-1.
Scott, stepping in as the Dodgers closer, faced a challenging start in the ninth inning. He conceded a leadoff single to Bryce Harper, who found success against Scott’s slider. However, Scott quickly regained control. Alex Bohm was next to face Scott’s fastball, resulting in a 6-4-3 double play that eased the pressure on the Dodgers. Max Kepler then challenged Scott but was ultimately retired with a flyout on another fastball, securing Scott’s third save of the season.
The accomplishment places Scott among an elite group of pitchers who have achieved a three-pitch save after facing three batters since 1988. The others who share this distinction include Pittsburgh’s Barry Jones, who did so against the New York Mets in 1992; Toronto’s Duane Ward at Minnesota in 1993; Colorado’s Steve Reed in a 1994 game in San Diego; and the New York Yankees’ legendary closer Mariano Rivera in 2003 at St. Louis.
This season, Scott continues to build on his reputation as an elite reliever. The 30-year-old left-hander, who earned All-Star honors last year, joined the Dodgers in January after signing a substantial four-year, $72 million contract as a free agent. Scott’s notable achievement on Saturday further reinforces his value to the team as he plays a critical role in maintaining their dominant start to the season.