DETROIT (DA) — Curaçao-born closer Kenley Jansen moved within 2 saves of the 500-career milestone Friday night, earning his 498th as the Detroit Tigers held off the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 at Comerica Park.
Jansen worked the ninth inning to secure his 22nd save of the season and preserve Detroit’s one-run victory.
The Tigers entered the final inning with an 8-7 advantage after Pittsburgh had cut into what had been a six-run Detroit lead. Jansen made sure the comeback stopped there, finishing the game and adding another save to one of the highest career totals in MLB history.
Jackson Jobe earned the win for Detroit, improving to 3-3 with a 3.91 ERA. Bubba Chandler took the loss for Pittsburgh.
Jansen now has 498 career saves, leaving the veteran right-hander 2 short of becoming the third pitcher in MLB history to reach 500. Mariano Rivera finished with 652 and Trevor Hoffman with 601.
Detroit had two games remaining in its regular season following Friday’s victory, both against Pittsburgh.