however, i do think that you can be credited with a save without recording an out. you come in to pitch with a small lead late in the game. before the first at-bat is over, it starts to rain and the game is eventually called. don't you get a save in this case? or was this rule changed recently?

I guess it would be more interesting if the count was 0-2 and the reliever comes in (why?  maybe the previous pitcher hurts his arm/knee/back and has to exit) and then the reliever strikes him the guy, because by the rules the previous pitcher gets the credit for the out.

Another interesting situation, although it is a save.  Reliever comes in and picks a runner(s) off to end the inning.  He's geting credit for a third of a inning pitched at least without "facing" a hitter.

Neat question.

10.16 Earned Runs And Runs Allowed

(h) A relief pitcher shall not be held accountable when the first batter to whom he pitches reaches first base on four called balls if such batter has a decided advantage in the ball and strike count when pitchers are changed.
(1) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is
2 balls, no strike,
2 balls, 1 strike,
3 balls, no strike,
3 balls, 1 strike,
3 balls, 2 strikes,
and the batter gets a base on balls, the official scorer shall charge that batter and the base on balls to the preceding pitcher, not to the relief pitcher.
(2) Any other action by such batter, such as reaching base on a hit, an error, a fielder's choice, a force-out, or being touched by a pitched ball, shall cause such a batter to be charged to the relief pitcher.
Rule 10.16(h) Comment: The provisions of Rule 10.16(h)(2) shall not be construed as affecting or conflicting with the provisions of Rule 10.16(g).
(3) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is
2 balls, 2 strikes,
1 ball, 2 strikes,
1 ball, 1 strike,
1 ball, no strike,
no ball, 2 strikes,
no ball, 1 strike,
the official scorer shall charge that batter and the actions of that batter to the relief pitcher.

This also means that if a pitcher comes in with the bases loaded up by one run, pitches to a 1-2 count and gets hurt and leaves without retiring the batter (injury probably) and then the pitcher that replaces him gets the batter out, no one gets the save even though it had been a save situation because the pitcher that finished the game didnt get credited with 1/3 of an inning pitched.

<u>10.19 Saves For Relief Pitchers</u>
A save is a statistic credited to a relief pitcher, as set forth in this Rule 10.19.
The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets all four of the following conditions:
(a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
(b) He is not the winning pitcher;
(c) He is credited with at least a third of an inning pitched; and
(d) He satisfies one of the following conditions:
(1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning;
(2) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batters he faces); or
(3) He pitches for at least three innings.

unless the team getting shorted the innings is already ahead..

if that's the case, then impossible to a get save without recording an out due to a weather-related or otherwise called game.