Baseball Glossary › Blown Save
Blown Save (BS)
A blown save (BS) is charged to a relief pitcher who enters in a save situation and lets the tying run score. The run does not have to be charged to him: if an inherited runner scores the tying run, it is still his blown save. It can happen in any inning.
What to Know
Blown save vs save vs hold: a reliever in a save situation who records an out ends up with a save, a hold or a blown save. Blown saves were introduced in 1988 as a counterweight to the save.
A blown save does not settle the decision. The same pitcher can still get the win if his team retakes the lead while he is the pitcher of record, take the loss, or get a no-decision.
Blown saves are a rough measure. Entering with a three-run lead in the ninth and entering with a one-run lead and a runner on third in the eighth are both save situations, so the raw count does not tell you how hard each chance was. Compare it with the closer's ERA and WHIP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does blown save mean in baseball?
A blown save means a relief pitcher entered the game in a save situation and allowed the tying run to score. The lead he was brought in to protect is gone, so he is charged with a blown save.
Can a pitcher get a blown save and a win?
Yes. If a reliever blows the lead and his team then goes back ahead while he is the pitcher of record, he can be credited with the win despite the blown save.
Can you get a blown save in the eighth inning?
Yes. A blown save can happen in any inning. If a reliever enters in the eighth in a save situation and gives up the tying run, it is a blown save even if he never pitches the ninth.
Does the tying run have to be charged to the pitcher for a blown save?
No. If a reliever inherits a runner who scores the tying run, he is charged with the blown save even though the run itself is charged to the pitcher who put that runner on base.
What does BS mean in pitching stats?
BS stands for blown save. In a reliever's stat line it shows how many times he entered in a save situation and allowed the tying run to score.
When did the blown save become a stat?
According to MLB's glossary, the blown save was introduced as a statistic in 1988 to balance the save and give a fuller picture of a closer's record.
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Sources
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