Third time’s the four-in-a-row charm for Rivera

June 11, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 23 Comments

When Mariano Rivera entered last night’s A’s-Yankees game in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead, ~~he set yet another first in his career~~ he did something he’s done just two other times in his career. It was the third time Rivera had ever pitched on four consecutive games in four days. I sure hope Joe’s willing to give him a day off today.

Update: Gary C notes in the comments that I misinterpreted the Baseball-Reference.com Play Index results. This is actually the third time Rivera’s thrown in four straight games. This post has been updated to reflect this information.

http://www.workwithpete.com Pete

Well Farnsworth *is* available. ::shudder::
Marsha

I sure hope the Yanks don’t find themselves in a save situation tonight. My heart can’t take it.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  I am guessing that you will be fast asleep by the time the potential save situation rolls around tonight.
Yankees=warriors

Yes, this is not the kind of first I like to see.
BTW, what’s Mo’s record for consecutive saves?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  I think it’s 31. The B-R.com Play Index results for consecutive games without a blown save for gives us 46 for Mo, 31 of which resulted in a save.
  - Yankees=warriors
    
    Thanks!
    Wow, that’s a LOT, it’ll be hard for even this year’s Mo to surpass that.
    - steve (different one)
      
      just shows how worthless the save stat is. Mo has 2 losses and probably should have 3.
      
      not that he hasn’t be awesome this year, he has.
      
      just pointing out that he didn’t “blow a save” on Monday, but he blew the game. i am not criticizing Mariano, just the statistic.
A.D.

Set-up to be a pitchers duel with the 2 SP numbers this year…so could get interesting
Batty

Ugh – Mo’s been great but he can still get completely burned out. He should have two days off.
http://www.workwithpete.com Pete

Does anyone have a stat on how many 1+ inning saves he’s had thus far this year? It has to be way down from what he was doing under Torre, that’s for certain…
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  Rivera has thrown 1+ inning four times this season. He did it 13 times last season. So he’s slightly off last year’s pace.
  - http://www.workwithpete.com Pete
    
    How many did he have at this point last year?
- steve (different one)
  
  he has 3 appearances (2 saves) longer than 1 inning.
  
  last year he had 13.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
    
    4 appearances. One was a 1+ IP appearance in which he recorded no outs before losing the game in the 10th.
    - steve (different one)
      
      you are right. in Tampa.
Axl

At least he’s getting opportunities this year…last year everyone (Red Sox fans) thought he was washed up mainly because he never had any opportunities and when he went out there…he wasn’t loose or ready.

As for tonight? We won’t give Rasner any run support anyway for the 3rd or 4th consecutive time…so if he doesn’t pitch a complete game shutout (unlikely) or we don’t score a bunch of runs off of a used-to-be set up guy (who has been pitching like an ace)…we won’t have to worry about who will pitch the 9th.

If we were to worry and the opportunity presented itself? I would probably close my eyes and point to a name on my board…because they’re all pretty inconsistent and mediocre. Shouldn’t matter who goes out there to be honest. Just pray.
Setty

Used to be setup guy, now pitching like an ace…sounds like something we wouldn’t be opposed to
Gary C

What about June 1st – June 4th 2004?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  That’s odd. You’re totally right, but the B-R.com Play Index didn’t pick that one up.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
    
    Actually, I misread the B-R.com results. Post’s been updated.
    - Gary C
      
      When were the other two times?
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
        
        July 31, 2003 – August 3, 2003 and June 1, 2004 – June 4, 2004.
LiveFromNewYork

My understanding is that Mo lets them know when he needs rest.

Last year he was not getting enough work because they were not getting into save situations. Mo work for Mo usually works out better than less work.

My understanding is that Rivera does not keep his mouth shut if he needs a day off. I also think that knowing Mo he would want to put that HR behind him as soon as possible. I saw the encore this morning and he looked like a man on a mission.

I think if he wanted to sit out last night he would have let that be known.