Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners

Bryan Baker likely won’t be slanting his hat or shooting off an imaginary arrow into the sky any time soon like one of his predecessors out of the bullpen. But “Mr. Consistency,” as Kevin Kelly calls him, is becoming one of the most dominant closers in MLB. Saturday’s griddy 3-2 win over the Mariners was just another example for the 31-year-old, as he surpassed former Rays closer Fernando Rodney by converting a team-record 23 straight saves. Rodney secured 22 consecutive saves back in 2012. Baker’s MLB-leading 34th save helped close out the Rays’ fifth straight win as they became the first AL team to reach 70 wins and spoiled Seattle’s 50th anniversary celebratory night. “The guys were joking around saying I gotta wear the slanted hat next time out,” Baker said with a smile. “So we'll see if I can pull that off. I'm not sure.” On a bullpen day after Griffin Jax was unexpectedly scratched just hours before first pitch with right elbow discomfort, the Rays deployed seven relievers with Casey Legumuna getting the nod, and the group yielded only two solo shots from Josh Naylor. Starter or not, the Rays continue to find ways to win. “Outstanding effort by all of them,” manager Kevin Cash said. Kelly and Baker worked the eighth and ninth, respectively, and both allowed a leadoff single before each induced a double play to end the frame.