A pitcher earns a save when he meets each of the following criteria:
- He is the last pitcher in a game won by his club.
- He didn't qualify for the win.
And he meets at least one of the following criteria:
- He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches at least one inning.
- He enters the game with the potential tying run either on base, at the plate, or in the on-deck circle.
- He pitches effectively for at least three innings.