PITTSBURGH – Craig Kimbrel’s two-year journey through the wild seems to be over.
All-Star things came back seven times. And the Chicago Cubs closer used every part of it as they finished the Pittsburgh Pirates’ robbers in a 4-2 victory Thursday to become the 12th pitcher in major league history with 350 career saves.
Kimbrel beat Dustin Fowler and Wilmer Difo, with the bases loaded to finish eighth, then retired the Pirates for his first five-year save in his 12-year major league career.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement,” Kimbrel said. “I’m glad I was able to get here. The plan is to get to 400 now.”
Kimbrel’s performance in 22 steps did not leave him gassed. The 32-year-old spent almost an hour going through the usual training routine after the game.
“It’s a special one and we’re lucky to have it,” said Chicago starter Jake Arrieta after working six innings to improve to 2-0. “He’ll go up in rows. Especially with the things he still has. He might be number 1 at the end of the day.”
A prospect that seemed distant during Kimbrel’s well-documented struggles. He stuttered in 2019 and 2020, going 0-5 with 6.00 ERA in 41 appearances for Chicago.
It quickly becomes a somewhat distant memory. Kimbrel has not allowed another shot in 4â…” innings in 2021. Asked what the difference is between now and the last seasons, Kimbrel just shrugged.
“Throwing blows,” he said with a laugh.