The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Kimbrel quickest in MLB history to reach 300 saves
ARLINGTON, Texas — Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel missed much of spring training when he was back in Boston for his infant daughter’s second heart surgery and her recovery.
Before the team departed last week for what matches their longest scheduled trip this season, and before he got his 300th career save quicker than anyone in MLB history, Kimbrel had 6-month-old Lydia Joy at Fenway Park.
“She was smiling,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The way he’s carrying her, it’s unreal what he’s doing.”
Kimbrel got his 300th save Saturday night, about three weeks before his 30th birthday, in his 494th career game and 330th save opportunity.
After a perfect ninth to close out a 6-5 win at Texas, exactly eight years to the day after he first got called up to the majors, the hardthrowing righty was greeted in the clubhouse by extended applause from his teammates.
“They clapped for a long time. It was nice to have these guys behind me, to show their appreciation for me is really neat,” Kimbrel said. “Everything I do every night is go out there and make sure what they do counts.”
Cora described the reception for Kimbrel as emotional.
“We know what he’s been going through for a long, long time, since spring training. This team got together around him, and there’s a lot of good things happening and we’re very proud of him,” Cora said. “There’s more positive things happening for him off the field than actually on the field, and he’s been great on the field. That gives us a lot of energy.”
Kimbrel has converted nine of 10 save chances and has a 1.23 ERA in his 15 appearances this season. He has allowed only seven hits and two runs in 14 2⁄3 innings, with 21 strikeouts and four walks.