THE CLOSER

Yankees Relief Pitcher Ties Record

Mariano Rivera gets 601st career save.

Mariano Rivera tied Trevor Hoffman for baseball’s record of most all-time saves, getting his 601st save during a game against the Blue Jays on Saturday. Rivera got his 600th save on Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners. His next save will edge him past Hoffman and give him the most saves of all time—and cement his status as a Hall of Famer. Rivera, a relief pitcher, does not play every night, so it’s uncertain when he will hit the record. It didn’t look as if he would be needed Saturday, since the Yankees trailed the Blue Jays 6-1 after four innings, but they rallied with a three-run homer by Alex Rodriguez and edged ahead of Toronto 7-6 in the sixth inning, and Rivera was called in to perform his magic in the ninth.