A Closer is a relief pitcher who enters the game in the final inning to protect a lead. Their only job is to get the last three outs, so their team wins the game.
How They Play
Most teams save their hardest-throwing pitcher for this role. Because they only pitch one inning, they can throw every ball at maximum speed. If they finish the game and protect a small lead, they earn a statistic called a Save.
Example
The manager called for the Closer in the ninth inning to strike out the final three batters and secure the win.
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