- If a pitcher enters the game in the 8th with the lead being 3 runs or less and pitches a scoreless inning and then his team increases the lead beyond save parameters, the pitcher can still get the save if he finishes the game. - If a pitcher enters the game in the 9th with the tying run either at the plate or on deck and finishes it, he can get the save. Add to that if a pitcher pitches 3 innings that there is a save. That is how there was a save in the 30 to whatever game last year.