Blue Jays’ Roberto Osuna ties Koch, sets sights on Henke

Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna made his third consecutive appearance in as many days slamming the door on another Blue Jays victory over the league-leading Houston Astros last night.

Roberto Osuna has now converted 21 consecutive saves this season tieing him with Billy Koch for fourth place in franchise history. The 22-year old is closing in on the record set by Tom Henke in 1991 when the “Terminator” successfully converted 25 saves. Henke was 33 years old at the time he set the Blue Jays all-time record.

Osuna has been lights out for nearly the entire season with the exception of a bumpy stretch coming out of spring training. He currently sports an impressive 2.06 earned run average while fanning 47 in 35 innings of work. That stat line was somehow not worthy of an All-Star selection as Osuna was passed over for the midsummer classic.

Consecutive Saves in Franchise History:

Tom Henke 25- 1991

Casey Janssen 24- 2013-14

Tom Henke 23- 1986-87

Roberto Osuna 21- 2017

Billy Koch 21-2000

Osuna is still a long way off the MLB all-time mark of 84 consecutive saves set by Canadian hurler Eric Gagne. The impressive feat of 84 saves was set between August 28th, 2002 through until July 03rd, 2004. During that span, Gagne surrendered only 8 runs in 89 innings while fanning 139 hitters.

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Regardless, if Osuna shatters Henke’s franchise mark or not, the young closer has already saved 78 contests in his first three seasons in the majors making him the youngest closer to record 75 saves in MLB history.

For now, the closer will enjoy fourth place with Koch, the former closer accomplished the mark in 2000 when Koch saved 33 contests for the 3rd place Blue Jays. Koch would spend three seasons with the Jays saving 100 games before being traded to the Athletics for Eric Hinske and Justin Miller.

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Time will tell but Osuna is locked in and appears on a mission when on the bump so don’t be surprised if Osuna surpasses Henke before the end of July.