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Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates reached an impressive milestone in his successful career Saturday, recording his 100th career save.
Yates came in for the ninth inning in a three-run game against the Athletics Saturday, and recorded a quick three outs on nine pitches to shut the door and improve the Angels’ record to 35-49.
“It took a while,” Yates said. “Ultimately, it’s probably the hardest one I’ve ever had to get. But I’m glad it’s over. It’s cool. Glad I finally got another chance to do it. I wasn’t so sure I’d get another chance a couple weeks ago, but finally got one. Been throwing the ball well, so it all worked out. This game has a crazy way of working itself out.”
Jun 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kirby Yates (39) throws against the Athletics at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Yates’ first MLB save came more than a decade ago, in his first MLB season with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yates hasn’t served as a closer for the majority of his career, but has been elite in the role when asked to step up. He was the San Diego Padres’ primary closer in 2019, and he converted 41 of his 44 save opportunities that season. The Rangers asked him to step into the same role in 2024, and he was just as good—ending the year with 33 saves and blowing just one opportunity.
The veteran right-hander had a rough start to the year after beginning the season on the injured list, blowing a save and allowing three runs through his first three outings, but has since been pretty solid out of the bullpen.
Jun 27, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kirby Yates (39) is greeted by catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) after defeating the Athletics at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
He has a 3.06 ERA on the season, which is pretty good considering the numbers among the rest of the bullpen’s arms, and hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 8. He has an astonishingly low .159 batting average against, as well as a 0.96 WHIP.
While he isn’t the Angels’ go-to high-leverage arm, Yates is clearly a player the Angels can turn to in important situations. Additionally, the right-hander is clearly someone who can provide some guidance to a young, raw bullpen and point them in the right direction for the future.
The post Kirby Yates Converts 100th Career Save in Win Over Athletics appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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Yates came in for the ninth inning in a three-run game against the Athletics Saturday, and recorded a quick three outs on nine pitches to shut the door and improve the Angels’ record to 35-49.
“It took a while,” Yates said. “Ultimately, it’s probably the hardest one I’ve ever had to get. But I’m glad it’s over. It’s cool. Glad I finally got another chance to do it. I wasn’t so sure I’d get another chance a couple weeks ago, but finally got one. Been throwing the ball well, so it all worked out. This game has a crazy way of working itself out.”
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Jun 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kirby Yates (39) throws against the Athletics at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Yates’ first MLB save came more than a decade ago, in his first MLB season with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yates hasn’t served as a closer for the majority of his career, but has been elite in the role when asked to step up. He was the San Diego Padres’ primary closer in 2019, and he converted 41 of his 44 save opportunities that season. The Rangers asked him to step into the same role in 2024, and he was just as good—ending the year with 33 saves and blowing just one opportunity.
How Has Kirby Yates Performed This Season?
The veteran right-hander had a rough start to the year after beginning the season on the injured list, blowing a save and allowing three runs through his first three outings, but has since been pretty solid out of the bullpen.
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Jun 27, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Kirby Yates (39) is greeted by catcher Logan O’Hoppe (14) after defeating the Athletics at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
He has a 3.06 ERA on the season, which is pretty good considering the numbers among the rest of the bullpen’s arms, and hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 8. He has an astonishingly low .159 batting average against, as well as a 0.96 WHIP.
While he isn’t the Angels’ go-to high-leverage arm, Yates is clearly a player the Angels can turn to in important situations. Additionally, the right-hander is clearly someone who can provide some guidance to a young, raw bullpen and point them in the right direction for the future.
The post Kirby Yates Converts 100th Career Save in Win Over Athletics appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
