PHILADELPHIA — It was a record-setting night for Mariano Rivera. And a flawless one.
Rivera set the all-time record for World Series appearances last night at Citizens Bank Park with his 23rd Fall Classic outing, saving the Yankees’ 7-4 Game 4 win over the Phillies. Rivera retired the Phils 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth, getting Matt Stairs on a groundout, Jimmy Rollins on a pop-up and Shane Victorino on a groundout.
It was the second straight night that Rivera worked. Even though he hasn’t worked three days in a row all postseason, he left no doubt he will be available tonight in a potential championship-clinching Game 5.
“Are you kidding me? Should I answer that question?” he said. “Yes, definitely I will be able to pitch [tonight].”
The last time Rivera pitched three straight days was July 17-19. Rivera only threw five pitches in two-thirds of an inning on Saturday, then eight more last night. Yep, he got five outs on 13 pitches.
Rivera has 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the World Series across three outings. In the postseason, he has allowed one earned run in 14 1/3 innings.
Whitey Ford held the record for most World Series appearances with 22. Rivera also owns the record with 11 Fall Classic saves. Not a bad guy to have as your closer for the last 13 years.
“It’s been a blessing,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said last night. “He’s a guy that we gave very little money to out of a small fishing village in Panama, and he’s moved to the biggest city in the world it seems like and became the greatest of all time at what he does. It’s a great story in itself, and we’ve been blessed to have him here doing what he’s doing as long as he’s done it.”
Rivera will turn 40 later this month, and he still is pitching brilliantly.
“It’s incredible,” Cashman said. “It’s simply incredible.”
The Yankees have scored off the other three opposing closers they have faced this postseason, while Rivera hasn’t blown a game yet.
“I thank God for that,” Rivera said. “That’s all I can say about that.”
Now he’ll try to get the season’s final outs tonight.