Jason Isringhausen #44

Jason Derik Isringhausen...Pronounced 'eis-ring-how-zin'...Currently ranks third among active pitchers with 300 career saves...Posted seven seasons with 30-or-more saves...Two-time All-Star (2005 with St. Louis and 2000 with Oakland)...Led the Majors in games finished (66) and saves (47) in 2004...Since 2000, his 3.10 ERA (603.0 IP - 208 ER) and .213 opponents' batting average against rank fifth amongst relievers (min. 600 IP)...Limited right-handers to a .178 clip in 2011...Owns a 2.06 ERA (56.2 IP - 13 ER) and a .195 opponents batting average against vs. the A.L. West.

2010

Appeared in seven games with Louisville (AAA) of the International League...Signed to a minor league contract on July 22...Made his final appearance of the season on August 13 and allowed four runs, three earned, at Columbus...Placed on the minor league Disabled List with a strained right elbow on August 16 and did not pitch again.

2009

Signed a minor league free agent deal with Tampa Bay on February 21...Pitched in Spring Training, but was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List to start the regular season as he continued to recover from right elbow surgery... Reinstated on May 18 after rehabilitation assignments with Durham (AAA) of the International League and Montgomery (AA) of the Southern League...Suffered the loss May 25 at Cleveland on Victor Martinez's game-winning single in the ninth, which concluded the largest blown lead in Rays history...Rays led 10-0 at one point but lost 11-10...Walked the first three batters he faced, walking in one run before the single...Three walks tied a career high as a reliever...Appeared in nine games (eight scoreless) for the Rays before suffering a season-ending right elbow injury June 13 vs. Washington...Placed on the 60-Day Disabled List on June 14, the day after the injury...On June 23 in St. Louis, Dr. George Paletta performed "Tommy John" surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

2008

Appeared in 42 games for the Cardinals, but made two trips to the Disabled List including one that ended his season early...Placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on May 16 with a right hand laceration... Came back on June 14 and appeared in 21 games before a torn tendon in his right elbow ended his season...Finished 12 for 19 in saves, compiling the lowest save percentage of his career (63.2).

2007

Reliever came back from hip surgery to have a stellar season, ranking 1st in the N.L. and 2nd in the Majors with his 94.1 save pct. (32/34), trailing only SEA's J.J. Putz (95.2; 40/42). Was 4-0 with 32 saves and a 2.48 ERA in 63 appearances in 2007. The 2.48 ERA ranked 9th among all N.L. relievers. Is the Cardinals all-time saves leader with 205 and has now had five 30-plus save seasons with St. Louis. Earned his 200th save as a Cardinal on 8/26 vs. ATL. Named the N.L. co-Player of the Week for Aug. 20-26, posting saves in all five STL wins. He had a win or save in 37 of the team's 78 victories and appeared in 29 games with nonsave situations. Had 2.57 ERA (35.0 IP/10ER) in 35 home games allowing 23 hits &14 BBs with 25K's. Ended the season with a current 4-game winning streak, his longest as a reliever and longest since winning a career-high eight straight starts (8/20/95-4/9/96). Also wrapped up the year converting 18-straight save opps., despite allowing runs in 8 of his last 12 games. Had a 10-pitch 9th inning 4/4 vs. NY, retiring 3-straight in his first ML game since 9/6/06. Earned his 250th career save 4/6 at HOU. Saved three of Cards' five wins on first roadtrip (4/6-11). Converted his 3rd save of the season 4/10 at PIT, tying Dave Righetti (252) for 25th on the all-time saves list. His save 4/20 at CHI placed Izzy alone in 25th place on the all-time saves list. First blown save 4/22 at CHI saw Cubs pick up two runs to tie the game at 9-9 on a wind-blown single that started foul. Earned Saves #5 & #6 4/25 &4/26 vs. CIN. On 4/26 he retired 1st batter then sat through 49 min. rain delay before getting final two outs of the game. Tied Todd Worrell (256) for 24th on all-time save list with rescue 5/4 vs. HOU (1.2 IP)...it was his first save of more then 1.0 IP since 7/7/06 at HOU. Passed Worrell with career save #257 in 3-1 win over Astros on 5/6. Worked 1.2 IP on 5/23 vs. PIT, the 2nd time this season he'd worked more than 1.0 IP for a save. Earned 12th save 5/24 vs. PIT with perfect 9th. Sat through 1:41 rain delay 5/26 vs. WSH for his 13th save, his 3rd during 5/22-27 homestand. Worked 2.0 innings on 6/3 at HOU and posted his 2nd win. It was his first time pitching 2.0 innings since 7/8/06 -- also a win at HOU. Worked perfect 9th on 6/6 vs. CIN that including a fielding gem on bare-handed one-hop liner hit back to him by J.Conine Suffered just his 2nd blown save of season 6/26 at NY in first save opp. since 6/6. Save (#15) 6/29 at CIN was his first since 6/6 vs. CIN. Retired all 6 batters via strikeouts in save #'s 15 and 16 (7/4 vs. ARI). Struck out a season high 4 in 2.0 IP 7/22 at ATL for the win. Picked up his 20th save in Game 2 on 7/28 vs. MIL, his 8th-straight season with 20 or more saves. Improved to 16-for-16 in career save opps. at PNC Park with 21st save of season on 7/31. Posted his first 2.0 inning save since 8/8/02 vs. MON in 8/20 win at CHI. Worked 3-straight days 8/20-22 posting saves #23, #24 & #25. Earned save #26 on 8/25 in 5-4 win, facing Braves sluggers C.Jones,Teixeira, McCann, Francouer & A.Jones. Earned his 200th save as a Cardinal on 8/26 vs. ATL...he's only the 15th reliever in ML history to have recorded 200 or more saves with one team. Named N.L. co-Player of the Week for Aug. 20-26, posting saves in all five STL wins (6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2H). Recorded 30th save on 9/22 vs. HOU, giving him five 30-save seasons with STL.

2006

Moved into top spot on Cardinals All-Time saves list with 173 before hip surgery forced him to miss the final month of the regular season and all of the postseason. Underwent arthroscopic surgery for his left hip on 9/21. He made his last apperance of the season on 9/6 at WSH...Ranked 5th in the National Leauge in saves with 33. Four of his saves were over 1.0 IP...Put together his 7th-straight 20-save season and 6th-straight 30-save season...Became the Cardinals All-Time saves leader 6/13 at PIT with #161, passing Lee Smith (160), and ended the season with 173 saves as a Cardinal and 249 lifetime...His 240 saves since 2000 are 3rd behind the Yankees' Mariano Rivera (284) and the Padres' Trevor Hoffman (254)...Limited opponents to a .222 BA (47-212), but walked 38 in 58.1 IP...His 10 saves in May were two shy of his career single month high of 12 (May-2002)...Was named DHL"Delivery Man of the Month" in May, going 10-for-10 in save opps...Only 10 of Izzy's 21 apps. after the All-Star break included save opps...Had a career high10 blown saves, (had 9 blown saves in 2000 with OAK) which led the N.L. (2nd in Majors). Became just 3rd pitcher (R.Aguilera-1998 & T.Percival-2000) to blow 10 or more saves during a 30-save season over the past 10 years...Earned 33rd save 9/5 at WSH, but suffered career-high10th blown save on 9/6...Suffered loss #7 & 9th blown save 8/22 at NY on one-out, 2-run C. Beltran HR in 9th...Earned 29th save of the year with a perfect 9th inning on 8/5 vs. MIL...Picked up 28th save 7/25 at COL & 27th save 7/21 at LA...Sac. fly scored his inherited runner in the 9th 7/9 at HOU for his 7th blown save. Pitched in three of the four games at HOU (4.1 IP) 7/6-9...Pitched final 2.0 inn. for his 3rd win of season 7/8 at HOU. Retired all six batters faced...Earned Save #26 on 7/7 at HOU with 1.1 IP. Also went 1.1 IP for save on 7/4 at ATL...His solo HR allowed to Teahan in 2.0 IP was the difference in the 11-inn. game 7/1 vs. KC...Had saves in all four wins on 6/9-15 roadtrip (MIL & PIT)...Saved both wins at MIL 6/9-11, tying Lee Smith (160) for #1 spot among STL all-time save leaders...Worked 1.1 IP 6/9 at MIL for 19th save, getting final out in 8th with bases loaded...Had string of 11-straight save conversions snapped on 6/2 vs. CHI and suffered his 4th blown save & 3rd loss 6/5 vs. CIN, as he was victimized by 3-run K.Griffey HR...Worked a season-high 2.0 IP on 5/31 vs. HOU, matching his longest stint from '05...Escaped bases loaded, one-out situation & retired both batters 5/17 vs. NY for Sv #12...Picked up his 150th save as a Cardinal on 5/10 vs. COL...Struck out the side in picking up 9th save on 5/9...they were a season-high 3 K's...Picked up his 7th save of the season 4/29 vs. WSH despite walking the bases loaded. Was first time he walked 3 batters in an outing since 4/11/04 at ARI...Allowed a 2-out solo HR to Jose Hernandez in the 9th on 4/26 vs. PIT for his 2nd blown save, but got the win when Cards came back for a 4-3 win in the bottom half of the frame...Allowed solo HR to Carlos Lee in 11th inn. 4/13 vs. MIL for his 2nd loss...Picked up his first two saves of '06 in the final two games of season-opening series at PHI on 4/5-6.

2005

His 39 saves were tied for fifth in the N.L...marked the 6thstraight season he had reached 20 saves...earned 30th save 8/9 at MIL giving him five 30-save seasons - three with St. Louis...ranked ninth among N.L. relievers with a .202 opp. batting average (43-for-213)...his 2.14 ERA ranked eight in the N.L. for relievers ERA (14er/59.0ip)...allowed just one of his 10 inherited runners to score and retired 45 of 63 first batters faced (72%)...was elected by the players to his 2nd career All-Star game but did not pitch...doubled his career Hold total with one (also had a Hold in 2003)...retired 30 of 39 batters faced in his final 10 games (including a stretch of 13-straight batters)...left game on 4/26 with strained right abdominal/oblique muscle after recording one out...was placed on the 15-day DL prior to 4/27 game & activated on 5/13...had saves in 32-of-47 outings after coming off DL on 5/13...STL was 9-7 in his absence...earned saves in each of the Cards' first two wins, including 4/8 home opener...picked up his first save 4/5 at HOU, recording the final out, stranding two...suffered first blown save & loss of the season on 6/2 at COL, allowing three 9th inn. runs...he'd converted 21-straight save opps. dating to 9/17/04...also had his career-best 16.1 IP scoreless streak snapped on 6/2, allowing his first runs since 4/10...earned saves in all three games of series at TB (6/17-19), upping his season total to 21...came back with his 22nd save 6/28 after suffering his 2nd blown save 6/26 vs. PIT when he allowed a solo HR to J. Bay to lead off the 9th...picked up 23rd save 7/6, his 200th career, to close out the 2-1 win at ARI...passed Bruce Sutter (127) on 7/20 for 3rd place on the team's all-time saves list...collected 129th save as a Cardinal 7/26 tying Todd Worrell for second place on the team's saves list and moved into sole possession of second on 7/31 at LA...gave up solo HR's in the 9th and 10th in 9/2 loss at HOU for blown save, snapping a streak of nine-straight saves...marked only the second time in the season he allowed more than one earned run (6/2 at COL, 3ER)...was credited with his first win of the season 9/12 vs. PIT when the Cards scored in the bottom of the 9th for a 4-3 win...picked up final two saves during the last weekend vs. CIN in back-to-back games 10/1 & 10/2...Appeared in six of the team's nine postseason games and was 1-0 with two saves, 1.29 ERA...pitched the final inning of all three Division Series games vs. SD, allowing one earned run and picking up one save...earned his second save in Game 1 of the League Championship Series vs. HOU...Izzy allowed two hits and one unearned run in Game 1, a 5-3 Cardinal's win...was credited with the win in Game 5 -- the Cardinals dramatic 5-4 win over HOU triggered by Albert Pujols' 9th-inning, two-out home run...Jason pitched a perfect final two innings of the game, facing the minimum six batters for the win.

2004

Set a career high with 47 saves which tied Lee Smith's franchise record for most saves in a season (1991)...is one of just three Cardinals (L.Smith & B.Sutter) to post 40 saves in a season ...his 47 saves ranked T-1st in the National League with the Marlins' Armando Benitez and finished tied for second with Benitez for the Rolaids Relief Man Award (Gagne, LA)...had 21 saves prior to the All-Star break and 26 saves in 29 opportunities after the break in 33.0 IP with a 2.73 ERA...his 26 saves after the break ranked 2nd in the N.L...worked more than 1.0 IP 13 times, picking up a save in 11 of those appearances and had three one-out saves (6/7 at CHI, 6/15 vs. OAK and 9/25 at COL)... converted 47 of his 54 save opps. - the 54 opportunities were 1st in the N.L...his 74 games pitched were a career high as Jason allowed ER in only 17 of the 74 appearances...saved 10 games in July and 11 in August and had nine saves in May and June...was NL Rolaids Relief Man award winner for August, the fourth monthly honor of his career, converting 11 of 12 save opps. in August, including one tough save...had season-high seven saves vs. CIN and PIT, 7-for-7 in saves opportunities against both clubs, facing CIN 10 times and the Pirates seven ...walked three in the 9th inning 4/11 at ARI, but escaped with 1st save of '04...faced the minimum six batters 4/22 at HOU while working 10th & 11th inning for the win...suffered first blown save of the season 4/29 vs. PHI, allowing a 2-run HR (Ledee) in the ninth that sent the game to extra innings...picked up his second win 5/2 vs. CHI coming in to pitch the 10th inning of a scoreless game (1-0 win)...recorded career strikeout #500 on 5/6 at PHI and went 1.1 scoreless IP for his fourth save...allowed a run for the first time since 5/28 in his fourth blown save on 6/22 vs. CHI... earned 20th save (150th career save) on 7/7 vs. CIN for his 5th consecutive 20-save season...snapped a string of 12 straight conversions with a blown save 8/3 vs. MON...took saves in both games of a DH 8/20 vs. PIT and picked up his 38th save 8/28 at PIT, his 11th in August, one shy of his career high (12-May, 2002) for saves in a single month...celebrated his 32nd birthday on 9/7 at SD by earning his 40th save...earned his 47th save 10/1 vs. MIL, placing him in a tie with Lee Smith (1991) for the club's single-season saves record...had surgery performed on his left hip following the season. The procedure was performed on 11/15 by team physician, Dr. George Paletta, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and involved repair of the labrum lining his left hip...Pitched 11.2 innings in nine games during the postseason earning three saves with an 0-1 record...made appearances in Game 1 and 4 of the Division Series vs. LA, allowing one run in Game 1 on a solo HR by T. Wilson...pitched in six of the seven LCS games vs. the Astros, missing action in Game 3 only...took the loss in Game 5 of the LCS when he gave up a three-run homer to J. Kent in the bottom of the ninth of a scoreless game...pitched 3.0 innings in Game 6 of the LCS after allowing the tying run in the ninth - the 3.0 innings were a season high and his longest outing since 9/9/01 vs. TB (w/ OAK)... threw the final 2.0 innings of Game 4 in the World Series vs. BOS, striking out two and allowing a hit and walk.

2003

Despite missing the season's first two-plus months, he was able to lead his team in saves for a fourth consecutive season as he compiled 22 saves in 25 chances for his 4th straight 20-save season...he worked more then one inning in six of his 22 saves and worked less then one inning for a save just once (6/19 at MIL)...earned saves in six of 13 Cardinals' wins in September and in eight of their 16 August wins...he's converted 34 of his 38 save opportunities since the 2002 All-Star break...allowed runs in seven of his 40 appearances and allowed multiple runs just four times...appeared in two games for Tennessee (AA) during rehab assignment, working 2.0 scoreless IP with three strikeouts (23 total pitches)...was activated from the disabled list prior to 6/10 game after missing the first 61 games of the season as he continued rehab for shoulder surgery...made his 2003 debut on 6/12 at BOS throwing 14 pitches in a scoreless eighth inning while being credited with a Hold...recorded his first save of the season on 6/19 at MIL...allowed his first run of the season on 7/2 vs. SF when Barry Bonds homered in the ninth - the first HR Jason had allowed since 8/22/01 (Juan Gonzalez), ending a streak of 81 games and 88.2 IP without giving up a round-tripper...suffered his first blown save of the season on 7/12 vs. SD, his first blown save since 9/24/02...earned saves on 7/19 and 7/20 at LA and posted his eighth save on 7/26 vs. PIT while adding a baseloaded three-run triple in his first plate appearance as a Cardinal...pitched three-straight days from 8/9 to 8/11 and recorded saves in all three games...suffered his second blown save of the season on 9/5 vs. CIN, allowing game-tying run in the 9th inning, snapping a string of 13-straight save conversions dating back to mid July, one shy of matching his career high for consecutive saves...was credited with his 18th save on 9/16 vs. MIL - his 50th career save as a Cardinal...suffered his 3rd blown save and his lone loss of the year on 9/17 vs. MIL, allowing just his second HR since 2001 season.

2002

The Brighton, Ill., native made his third straight trip to the postseason in his first year with the Cardinals...registered 32 saves - the 10th highest single-season total in Cardinals history...did not allow any home runs in 2002...his 2002 streak was the fourth-longest single-season streak in big league history...led all major league relievers in 1-2-3 innings, recording 15 such frames in the 25 games (60%) in which he had the opportunity to earn a 1-inning save...he had at least one strikeout in 41 of his 60 appearances and averaged 9.4 Ks per 9 IP...his ratio of just 9.0 runners allowed per 9 IP ranked fourth among National League relievers...he ranked ninth among senior circuit relievers in batting average allowed (.199) and ninth in walks per 9 IP (2.48)...after the All-Star break he converted 13 of his 14 save opportunities and fanned 24 batters in 23.1 IP...fanned three batters in 2.0 scoreless innings on 4/10 vs. MIL to earn his first win of the season...struck out the side on just nine pitches (23rd time in N.L., third time by a Cardinal) on 4/13 vs. HOU and was credited with his second win that week...he worked 2.0 scoreless innings on 4/17 at ARI for Save #2...led the N.L. with 12 saves in May, the most saves by a Cardinal in a single month since Lee Smith saved 15 games in June of 1993...his 12 May rescues represented the highest single-month total of his career and tied the Major League record (H. Slocumb-1995) for most in May...his scoreless innings streak was snapped at 15.1 IP on 6/4 at CIN when he allowed one run...converted 13 straight save opportunities (5/1 to 6/26) following his first blown save (4/26 at MON)...he had four saves and three blown saves during 6/25-7/7 homestand...allowed five ninth-inning runs on 6/30 vs. CIN, suffering his first loss and third blown save...missed 10 games from 6/4 to 6/18 due to a mild flexor strain in his right arm...earned his 100th career save on 7/25 at SF...his two-inning save on 8/8 vs. MON was the third of his career and second of the season...was sidelined for two weeks from late August to early September with a sore right shoulder, then a stiff neck...his save at MIL on 9/11 was his first since 8/21...recorded save #30 at HOU on 9/13, when he became just the sixth Cardinal pitcher to save 30 games in a season...his 32nd save came on 9/28 vs. MIL with a perfect ninth inning...had shoulder surgery on 10/24 to repair a small tear in his labrum...Appeared in four postseason games and posted a 2.25 ERA and an .083 opponents BA in 4.0 innings pitched...pitched 2.0 perfect frames and posted two saves (Game 2 & Game 3) in the NLDS vs. Arizona...pitched twice in the NLCS vs. San Francisco and earned a save in Game 3, fanning two batters in the ninth inning.

2001

In his second full season in Oakland, recorded a career-high 34 saves and helped the A's reach the American League playoffs. Was also charged with a career-high nine blown saves...The 34 saves ranked seventh in Oakland single-season history and he joined Dennis Eckersley as the only two A's pitchers with more than one 30-save season. Left Oakland with 75 career saves, which ranks fourth in club history behind Eckersley (320), Rollie Fingers (136) and Bill Taylor (100)...His save percentage of 79.1% ranked fourth-lowest among A.L. closers. His nine blown saves fell one short of the Oakland record (since 1988) of 10, set by Dennis Eckersley in 1993...Allowed a .152 (17-for-112) batting average against right handers and a .240 (37-for-154) mark against lefties...Tossed 71.1 innings and struck out 74, both his most ever as a reliever...Averaged 9.34 strikeouts per nine innings which ranked seventh among A.L. relievers...His 2.65 ERA ranked eighth among A.L. relievers and his .203 opponents' batting average was 10th-lowest...Posted a 2.05 ERA (10 er/44.0 ip) and allowed a .188 (30-for-160) average in 35 outings at home and had a 3.62 ERA (11 er/27.1 ip) and .226 (24-for-106) opponents average in 30 games on the road...Seven of his nine blown saves came in Oakland. Six of his blown saves came over a 21-game stretch from 5/1 to 6/23...Was a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities and did not allow a run in nine outings (8.1 ip) in April...Converted 12 of his 15 save opportunities over a 22-game stretch from 6/27 to 8/22 (9 er in 25.2 ip, 3.16 ERA)...Posted a 6.08 ERA in May, then compiled a 1.50 ERA in 10 outings in June but had six saves and three blown saves...Did not allow a run in his first nine outings in July (11.1 ip). Retired 19 consecutive batters from 7/2 to 7/17 before walking Larry Walker on 7/17 against COL. Extended his opponent's hitless streak to 0-for-25 before Jermaine Dye singled to lead off the ninth inning on 7/23 at KC...Had his scoreless streak snapped at 14.2 innings on 7/ 29 against KC, a game in which he had a blown save and a win...Had his third four-strikeout game of the season in a blown save on 8/22 against CLE. That equaled his career high as a reliever (sixth time). Started a 14.0 inning scoreless streak during that game which lasted through 10/5...Made his 200th career appearance on 8/29 at BAL...Tossed 3.0 scoreless innings on 9/9 against TB, equaling his career high as a reliever (fourth time)...Finished the season by rescuing all nine of his save opportunities over his final 13 outings (1 er/14.0 ip/0.64 ERA), his longest streak of consecutive saves in 2001. Was 21-for-24 (87.5%) in save opportunities over his final 35 outings from 6/27 until the end of the season and he allowed a .175 (25-for-143) batting average over that span...Did not allow a run in eight September outings (9.1 ip, 3 h)...Recorded his career-high 34th save in his final outing of the season on 10/6 against ANA...Pitched twice in the Division Series vs. New York and recorded saves in Games 1 and 2...allowed no runs, one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work, but did not see action in the last three games of the series, as the Yankees came back to post a 3-2 series win.

2000

Was named to the American League All-Star team in his first full season as a closer...recorded 33 saves in 40 opportunities and ranked seventh in the A.L. with a 82.5% save percentage ...became the fourth pitcher in A's history to save 30 or more games, joining Dennis Eckersley (six times), Bill Caudill (once) and Bill Taylor (once)...fared better in the Coliseum where he was 4-0 with 17 saves in 18 chances and a 2.19 ERA in 36 games...went to 2-4 with 16 saves in 22 chances and a 5.63 ERA in 30 games on the road...first hitters faced were 13 for 60 (.217) with six walks...allowed 6 of 16 (37.5%) inherited runners to score recorded the save in each of first five opportunities to extend his streak of consecutive saves to start his career to 14...he fell one short of the major league record for consecutive saves at the start of a career...Greg McMichael (Atlanta, 1993) and Robb Nen (Florida, 1994) were a perfect 15-for-15...put together another streak of 14 consecutive saves over a 23-game stretch from 5/11 to 7/17 (25.1 ip, 14 h, 5 r, 5 er, 10 bb, 20, 1.78 ERA)...recorded the save in each of the A's four games from 5/30 to 6/3, marking the first time an A's pitcher had four saves in four consecutive team games since Dennis Eckersley, 8/16- 20/93...had a scoreless streak of 9.0 innings snapped in his outing on 6/3 against SF...struck out a season-high four on 7/7 against ARI, equaling his career high as a reliever (7/16/99 vs. TB)...was 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 19 saves in 22 chances at the All-Star Break and was named to his first All-Star team...pitched the fifth inning in the game and allowed an RBI single to Andruw Jones (1.0 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 1 bb)...had his second streak of 14 consecutive saves snapped in the night game on 7/17 at COL... that began an 11-game stretch through 8/8 where he went 1-2 with five saves and four blown saves (11.0 ip, 13 h, 8 r, 6 er, 4 bb, 10 so, 4.91 ERA)...his seventh and final blown save came on 8/8 at NY...recorded his 27th save on 9/12 against MIN to start a stretch of four saves in four outings...posted a 1.74 ERA in September (10.1 ip, 5 h, 2 r, 2 er, 5 bb, 7 so) with six saves in six chances...Made two Division Series appearance against New York and retired six of the seven batters he faced...retired the side in order in the ninth inning of Game 1 for the save.

1999

Acquired from the New York Mets hours before the July 31 trading deadline and eventually took over as the A's closer, recording eight saves in eight chances as an Athletic ... Came to Oakland along with Greg McMichael in exchange for Bill Taylor and did not allow a run in his first seven outings in an A's uniform (10.2 ip, 6 h, 4 bb, 6 so) ... Retired 17 in a row from August 9-23 ... Then allowed one run in consecutive outings on August 25 against Cleveland and August 27 at Chicago ... Picked up the save against the White Sox, his first as an Athletic and the second of his career ... That began a season ending 12-game stretch where he was 8 for 8 in save opportunities while posting a 3.38 ERA (5 er in 13.1 ip) ... Recorded four saves in four outings from September 12-23 and retired 14 straight from September 12-26 ... Allowed 3 of 14 (21.4%) inherited runners to score with the A's and all three came in one game at New York on August 30 ... First hitters faced were 2 for 18 with two walks with the A's ... Allowed a .179 (5 for 28) average with runners in scoring position which ranked seventh lowest among A.L. relievers ... Combined with the A's and Mets for a .258 opponents batting average ... That broke down to .221 (25 for 113) against left handers and .289 (39 for 135) against right handers ... Is the first player in the history of the Athletics franchise (1901-99) to have a last name beginning with the letter I ... Began the season with the Mets Triple-A affiliate at Norfolk but was brought up to New York on May 24 and inserted into the starting rotation ... Went 1-2 with a 7.30 ERA (20 er in 24.2 ip) in five starts before he was optioned back to Norfolk on June 23 ... Rejoined the Mets on July 4 and pitched in relief for the first time in his major league career ... Had made 52 consecutive starts before his first relief appearance on July 6 against Montreal ... Picked up the save in that game by tossing three shutout innings in the Mets 10-0 win ... Was 0-1 with the save and a 4.91 ERA (8 er in 14.2 ip) in eight relief appearances before he was traded to the A's ... Was 3-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 12 games, eight starts, at Norfolk.

1998

Started the season on the 60-day disabled list recovering from right elbow reconstructive surgery ... The surgery was performed on January 13, 1998 by Mets' Team Physician Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan ... Did not pitch, but went to Florida to rehabilitate his shoulder on March 21 ... Spent the remainder of the summer at the Mets Minor League Complex, in St. Lucie, FL.

1997

Activated by the Mets on August 27 and earned the victory that day over the Giants at Shea, 15-6 ... Defeated Toronto, 3-0, on September 1 ... Held the Blue Jays to two hits over 6.0 shutout innings ... Struck out six and walked six ... Placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 31, retroactive to March 24, recuperating from the previous fall's elbow and shoulder surgery ... Started his rehabilitation assignment on April 6 at Norfolk (AAA) of the International League ... Broke his right wrist on April 11 in Norfolk ... Diagnosed with tuberculosis (unofficially) on May 1 ... Responded to medication as hoped and thus the diagnosis was confirmed ... Transferred to the 60-day disabled list on May 3 ... Pitched eight games for San Juan of the Puerto Rican Winter League ... Was 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA ... In 46.0 innings, he allowed 37 hits, 19 runs, 15 earned, 18 walks and 41 strikeouts.

1996

Underwent two arthroscopic procedures, one on his right shoulder and one on his right elbow on September 27 ... A labral tear was repaired in his shoulder, while bone chips were removed from his elbow ... Both operations were performed by Mets Team Physician Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan ... Missed a start in early August with a strained right rib cage ... On August 12, after a start against the Cubs at Shea he was placed on the disabled list with his rib cage injury ... Activated from the DL on September 1 and made three September starts ... Experienced discomfort in his elbow after what would be his final start of the year, September 17 at Montreal ... Prior to his surgeries, he underwent an MRI on September 20 and 25 at the Hospital for Special Surgery ... Worked at least six innings in 20 of his 27 starts ... Hurled his first career shutout, 6-0, over the Marlins on June 9 at Shea ... Allowed six hits with no walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts ... Hit his second career home run, a two-run shot off Armando Reynoso at Colorado on July 24 ... Became the first Mets pitcher to have two home runs in a season since Dwight Gooden in 1993 ... Cracked his first major league home run and singled in a 6-5 loss at Pittsburgh in the first game of a doubleheader on June 19 ... Finished second in the NL among pitchers with his .255 batting average (minimum 40 at bats) ... Tied for first in the NL among pitchers with his two home runs, tied for seventh with his 13 hits and fourth with his nine RBI ... His nine RBI were one short of the Mets' club mark for pitchers set by Tom Seaver in 1970.

1995

Finished fourth, with four votes, in the 1995 National League Rookie of the Year race ... Promoted to the Mets from Norfolk (AAA) of the International League on July 13 ... Made his major league debut, July 17, with a start at Chicago ... Had a no-decision in a 5-2 Mets victory ... In seven innings, he allowed two hits, two runs, earned, with two walks and six strikeouts ... Gained his first triumph, 2-1, vs. Pittsburgh at Shea on July 30 ... Went eight innings and permitted six hits, one run, earned, with three walks and five strikeouts ... Ended the season with a 7-0 record and a no-decision in his last eight starts ... Fell one game short of tying Tom Seaver (1969) and David Cone (1983) for most consecutive victories in consecutive starts ... In those last eight games, he allowed 14 runs in 53.1 innings for an ERA of 2.36 ... Gave up 54 hits with 17 walks and 31 strikeouts in those contests ... Picked up his first major league hit, an infield single, off Butch Henry of the Expos at Shea on August 15 ... Was 2 for 3 vs. San Diego at Shea on August 25 ... For Binghamton, Norfolk and the Mets, he had a combined record of 20-4 with a 2.32 ERA in 32 starts ... Started the year with Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League ... Was promoted to Norfolk (AAA) of the International League on May 6 ... Named the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher and Rookie of the Year ... Was the starting pitcher for the National League Triple-A All-Star squad on July 12 at Scranton Wilkes-Barre ... Selected the IL's Pitcher of the Month for June (4-0, 1.71 ERA) ... Was co-recipient of the Doubleday Award at Norfolk with Butch Huskey ... In his first four starts for Binghamton, he struck out 14, 14, 10 and 13 batters.