Mason Fluharty delivered a moment Toronto Blue Jays relievers will remember Sunday in Los Angeles, locking down a 5-4 win with the boats loaded in the ninth inning.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth and the Dodgers having loaded the bases, Shohei Ohtani stood at the plate and Mookie Betts was next. Fluharty didn’t blink. He struck out Ohtani and then coaxed Betts into a 5-4 groundout to end the game, earning a save in a high-pressure moment that will live on in Blue Jays lore.
The feat was historic in its own right. Fluharty became just the second pitcher since Sept. 15, 2002 to retire two former MVPs with the bases loaded to record a save. That 2002 precedent was set by Trevor Hoffman, who got Bonds and Kent for a Padres save at a time when Bonds was at the height of his powers and Kent was fresh off an MVP season. This time around, Ohtani is still considered at the peak of his powers, and Betts has been heating up after a rough stretch.
On the season, the moment stood out for a pitcher still finding his footing. Fluharty’s outing lowered his overall ERA to 5.15, and it marked his first career save after entering Sunday with zero saves this year. It’s a performance that could serve as a turning point for him and a confidence boost for a Jays bullpen, underscoring how a single brush with history can redefine a player’s trajectory.
Hoffman finished his career with 601 saves, a number that may be out of reach for Fluharty, but this memorable moment in Los Angeles gives him a story few players ever get to tell: a save in the spotlight against two MVPs and in a game that had so much drama from first pitch to last out.
Summary: Fluharty’s save against Ohtani and Betts provided a stunning, record-tying highlight for a pitcher who had never recorded a save before this season, offering a hopeful spark for his future and a reminder of the unpredictable drama that makes baseball so compelling.
Logical note: This kind of performance can ripple through a bullpen, boosting confidence and potentially shaping Fluharty’s role going forward. It also adds an intriguing footnote to a season that had been otherwise challenging for him.
Positive takeaway: Moments like this can redefine a player’s narrative and energize a team, offering a tangible example of resilience and opportunity turning into a career milestone.