Bryan Baker Clinches Rays Series Win With Scoreless Ninth

In Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, Bryan Baker earned a save by retiring batters in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Tampa Bay Rays secured their series victory with this performance and now hold a two-game lead heading to the ALCS.

Baker entered the game facing three batters after getting Anthony Volpe out on seven pitches but walked Spencer Jones before pitching effectively following a mound visit from coach Kyle Snyder. He subsequently grounded Jazz Chisholm Jr. into an error, struck out Trent Grisham, and finished the inning to end the series.

This postseason success highlights Baker's rapid development since joining the Rays in 2025 after playing for the Baltimore Orioles that same year. While his previous seasons included a four-and-a-half point ERA across both teams with only three saves total, he posted forty-one saves and an under-two-point ERA during the regular season.

Baker is now proving his strong bullpen performance throughout the 2025 campaign was not merely luck as he continues to demonstrate elite closer abilities in high-leverage playoff situations.