In baseball, a relief pitcher is credited a “save” (SV or S) if the he or she finishes for the winning team following a specific set of circumstances. Often called a closer, the relief pitcher must meet all three of the following requirements:

  1. The relief pitcher must be thefinishing pitcher in a game wherethe closer team wins.
  2. The relief pitcher is not thewinning pitcher.
  3. The relief pitcher must meet one ofthe following conditions:

a. The relief pitcher comes into the game with a maximum of three runs and pitches for at least one inning.

b. The relief pitcher pitches for at least three innings.

c. The relief pitcher enters the game with a possible tying on deck, on base, or at bat.