DENVER -- All things being equal, Paul Blackburn would prefer to be a starting pitcher. He’s always been a starter and has largely succeeded in that role.
But this was a decent consolation prize.
Blackburn recorded his first career save Sunday in his first relief appearance since 2023, pitching the final four innings of the Mets’ 13-5 rout of the Rockies at Coors Field. Baseball rules dictate that any pitcher who throws at least three innings and finishes the game is eligible for a save, regardless of the score.
Three-inning saves are rare, however, especially in an age of specialists. Four-innings saves are rarer still. Before Blackburn, the only Met to record one this century was Brian Stokes back in 2008. There have been 41 saves of at least four innings in Mets history, and five so far this season around the Majors.
Among those Mets pitchers to accomplish the four-inning feat: Turk Wendell, Dwight Gooden, Roger McDowell (three times) and Jesse Orosco (twice).
“I never thought I would get a save in the big leagues,” Blackburn said. “It’s cool. It is, just being able to finish it out there. My biggest thing was once I came in the game, I didn’t want anyone else to come in.”
That was the pregame plan for the Mets, who were missing multiple relievers but still hoped to shorten up starting pitcher Tylor Megill after he threw 105 pitches in his previous outing. So as soon as Megill made it through five innings to qualify for the win in what was already a blowout, Blackburn prepared to enter.
This isn’t the role he had hoped for back in Spring Training, when he was competing for a starting job. A knee injury kept Blackburn off the Opening Day roster entirely, however, and by the time he returned last week, the Mets’ league-leading rotation had been so healthy and effective that there was no room for him. Following a strong spot start last Monday in Los Angeles, Blackburn prepared to join the bullpen.
Sunday marked his first chance to contribute, and although Blackburn wasn’t quite as effective this time around, allowing three runs on seven hits, he achieved his most important mission objective: saving everyone else in the bullpen.
“Going into the game, that was kind of what we had in mind,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “It was huge for him to go out there getting his first save [and] finishing the game. That’s a huge role in the bullpen, and he was able to get the job done today.”
Blackburn appreciated the opportunity, saying he felt like he was making his big league debut all over again. After the final out, catcher Francisco Alvarez requested the ball to give to Willie Traynor, who was umpiring his first career game behind the plate.
“I was like, ‘That’s my first career save, man. I’ve been waiting on this a long time,’” Blackburn said, laughing. He wound up taking the baseball and having it authenticated.
“I’m going to have to get the ump’s name and do something for him,” Blackburn said. “Kind of funny.”