Wilson piling up innings with no earned runs allowed
LOS ANGELES -- Brian Wilson tossed another scoreless inning Monday night in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, and the Dodgers reliever is now fourth in Major League history with 16 2/3 postseason innings without allowing an earned run.
The former Giants closer has made a smooth transition to a setup role with the Dodgers in 2013, and he is 1-0 with seven strikeouts over five innings this October.
Fear the Beard
| Rank | Pitcher | Years | App. | Inn. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | J. Rocker | 1998-2001 | 20 | 20 2/3 |
| 2. | J. Niekro | 1980-87 | 3 | 20 |
| 3. | J. McGinnity | 1905 | 2 | 17 |
| 4. | B. Wilson | 2010-13 | 15 | 16 2/3 |
| 5. | D. Cook | 1996-2000 | 19 | 16 1/3 |
| 6. | D. Mails | 1920 | 2 | 15 2/3 |
"I just shorten the game," said Wilson, who signed with the Dodgers in July and is coming off Tommy John surgery. "I pretend the game is over, and then I watch another inning. It doesn't really matter what role I'm in. I wasn't born to throw the final three outs. I was born to be a pitcher, and that's what I'm doing. Regardless of when they want me to come into the game, my job is to put up a zero."
Wilson was charged with an unearned run in his first career postseason appearance, blowing a save against the Braves in the 2010 NL Division Series with San Francisco. Since that outing, Wilson has not allowed a run in 14 2/3 innings over 14 appearances.
John Rocker holds the Major League record with 20 2/3 postseason innings without allowing an earned run, doing so from 1998-2001. Joe Niekro is second with 20 innings (1980-87), while Joe McGinnity is third with 17 (1905).