MLB PLAYER NEWS

Cardinals Rosenthal tied for ML lead with 40 saves

The Sports Xchange

August 27, 2015 at 3:18 am.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal has converted 14 in a row and 32 of his last 33 save opportunities. He was 45-of-51 last season. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal has converted 14 in a row and 32 of his last 33 save opportunities. He was 45-of-51 last season. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX — Trevor Rosenthal joined Lee Smith as the only pitchers with multiple 40-save seasons Wednesday, and he said the greatest joy is in playing a three-out part in his team’s success.

“Have a lot of fun being in situations and helping us get wins,” Rosenthal said after preserving right-hander John Lackey’s 3-1 victory over Arizona by striking out two and pitching around a two-out walk in the ninth inning.

“It’s credit to starting pitching this year.”

Right-hander Trevor Rosenthal is tied with Pittsburgh right-hander Mark Melancon for the major league lead with 40 saves. He has converted 14 in a row and 32 of his last 33 save opportunities. He was 45-of-51 last season.

“Every year it is going to be an adjustment,” said Rosenthal, whose fastball can hit 100 mph. “Things are going to change. Trying to learn, and fortunate to have four or five other guys out there that have saved games and two other guys who have saved a lot of games. It continues to be a big part of my career, learning from different guys and make adjustments.”

Recent bullpen additions Jonathan Broxton (118 career saves) and Steve Cishek (94) have three 30-save seasons between them.

Rosenthal junked the windup and pitches solely from the stretch this season, an adjustment that has helped.

“That also helped me have a mindset of having my best stuff from the first batter,” Rosenthal said. “I think that is important coming out of the bullpen, trying to get the first batter and having your best stuff. If you don’t, you have to work from there, but that’s definitely been a focus of mine.”

Lee Smith had 47, 43 and 43 saves with the Cardinals from 1991-1993.

“He’s done a very, very good job this year of attacking the strike zone early and trusting himself,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. “I know that was a goal we had going into spring training, talking about that leadoff hitter getting on. He just continues to get better.”

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