2 inning save?

I always thought it had to be three runs or less and 3 innings or less to qualify as a save. But I'm not positive. Anyone else know?

3 innings

PG...did you mean 3 runs???

To qualify for a save a pitcher must:
#1-finish a game his team wins.
#2-Face a batter with at least the potential tying run represented by the batter in the on-deck circle, or
#3-Pitch the last 3 full innings of the game "effectively", in the opinion of the Offical Scorer. Giving up 3 or 4 runs in a lopsided game may not be considered to be "effective" pitching, and depending upon the discretion of the Official Scorer, a save may or may not be awarded. This has caused more than a few disagreements between relief pitchers and scorers over the years.

Ooops! I forgot one more way to qualify for a save.
#4- A pitcher finishes the game for the winning team and pitches the last inning with no more than a 3 run lead.

A pitcher is credited with a Save if he meets the following criteria (OBR 10.20, FED 9-6-7, NCAA 10.26):

a) is not the winning pitcher, and

b) he is the pitcher when the final out of the game is recorded


and he meets one or more of the following:

a) pitches at least 3 "effective" innings, regardless of the score (non-effective pitching when your team is ahead by 20 runs might not earn you a save!)

b) pitches at least 1 inning when his team is leading by 3 runs or less at the time he enters the game

c) enters the game with potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck (i.e., the potential tying run is either on base or is one of the first two batters that he would face), regardless of the score, inning, and number of outs.