Kenley Jansen earns 478th save as Tigers beat Marlins 2-0

Veteran closer Jansen ties for 3rd on MLB's all-time saves list with dominant outing.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:27am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the power and precision of Jansen's historic performance.Jansen's historic save caps a dominant outing for the Tigers' veteran closer.Today in Miami

Veteran closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 478th career save, tying him for third place on the MLB's all-time saves list, as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Miami Marlins 2-0 in a low-scoring affair.

Why it matters

Jansen's milestone save cements his status as one of the greatest relief pitchers of his generation, and the Tigers' victory keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the American League.

The details

Jansen retired the Marlins in order in the 9th inning, striking out 2 batters to earn the save and move into a tie with Lee Smith and Trevor Hoffman for 3rd on the all-time saves list. Earlier, Tigers slugger Javier Baez hit a 2-run home run to provide the game's only scoring.

  • The game was played on April 11, 2026.

The players

Kenley Jansen

A veteran relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and one of the most dominant closers in Major League Baseball history.

Javier Baez

An All-Star infielder for the Detroit Tigers who provided the game-winning offense with a 2-run home run.

Miami Marlins

The opposing team that was shut out by the Tigers in this game.

Detroit Tigers

The home team that secured the victory behind Jansen's historic save.

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What they’re saying

“Kenley is a true legend of the game. To see him reach this milestone is a testament to his incredible consistency and dominance over the years.”

— A.J. Hinch, Tigers Manager

What’s next

Jansen will have a chance to move into sole possession of 3rd place on the all-time saves list when the Tigers face the Marlins again on April 13th.

The takeaway

Jansen's historic save highlights the Tigers' strong start to the season and the veteran closer's enduring excellence, as he cements his legacy as one of the greatest relievers in MLB history.