BOSTON -- Given the circumstances, a continuation of a suspended game that picked up in the top of the fourth inning, a save opportunity probably never felt quicker in arriving than it did for Red Sox lefty fireballer Aroldis Chapman on Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park.
This was an opportunity Chapman seized and then savored after coming through yet again for his new team.
For the 37-year old Chapman, it was career save No. 350 as the Red Sox edged the Reds, 5-3.
The only thing that would have made it better? A sweep of the day. But that slipped through Boston’s hands after building a 3-0 lead through six innings in an eventual 8-4 loss in the regularly scheduled nightcap.
A baserunning mistake and multiple defensive gaffes led to a defeat that prevented the 43-45 Sox from getting back to .500. Instead of a 4-2 homestand, Boston wound up going 3-3. And so it goes for a team that came into the season with great expectations and is having a hard time living up to them.
“Three-run lead in the seventh, we expect to win those games,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “If you look back at the season, there’s been a lot of those that have slipped through our hands, and honestly we’re in the position we’re in because of that.”
Before the frustration came the elation for Chapman. And fittingly, Chapman reached 350 against the team for which he pitched his first six seasons after defecting from Cuba a decade and a half ago.
“It means a lot,” Chapman said of becoming the 14th pitcher in history to reach that mark (since saves became an official stat in 1969). “Obviously because of all the hard work that you put in, and also because it means your team wins. The 350 saves means the team has won that many times.”
Chapman joins Hall of Famer Billy Wagner and John Franco as the only lefties with 350 saves or more. Kenley Jansen, Boston’s closer the last two seasons, is the only other active reliever in the Majors to have 350-plus saves.
The Red Sox are the seventh team Chapman has pitched for, but he hardly looks like a man on the back nine of his career.
In fact, he is having his best season in years, one the Red Sox hope will make him an All-Star for the eighth time.
“My goal is to reach 400 [saves],” Chapman said. “I know that is not an easy task to accomplish, but I’m going to keep working hard to be able to accomplish that goal.”
The one-year, $10.75 million contract the Sox signed Chapman to six months ago is working out for both sides.
Over 38 appearances, Chapman has a 1.29 ERA while walking 10 and striking out 51. He has 15 saves in 16 opportunities. In Chapman’s 15 games dating back to May 28, he hasn’t allowed an earned run.
“It's so impressive,” said Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story. “He’s a dominant force out there, and you can feel him. I've been on the other side of that, and it's not fun. We rely on him heavily, and he’s done an amazing job this year.”
The most entertaining portion of Wednesday’s save had to be Chapman’s encounter with Elly De La Cruz.
The 6-foot-5 switch-hitter, a towering young star, led off the top of the ninth. Chapman overpowered him on three straight swinging strikes (97.1 mph, 99.6, 101.3).
“It’s such a blessed feeling to be behind the dish when he’s catching,” said Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez. “Early in the year, I remember thinking, ‘Man, I’m calling pitches to Chappy.’ When you’re a boy you never expect something like that. Super happy for him. He’s a great athlete and great professional. I think there's more in the tank. I think he’s at his peak at 37 years old, so that’s impressive, but so glad we have him closing games for us.”
So on a day reliever Brayan Bello was at five innings and 62 pitches, Cora didn’t hesitate going to his closer to finish off a win that clinched a series victory for the Sox.
“[Bello] had enough to go into the ninth, but we had that guy, and 350 for him now,” said Cora. “It’s amazing.”