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Joaquin Benoit
From BR Bullpen
Joaquin Antonio Benoit Pena
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Joaquin Benoit spent his first 8 major league seasons with the Texas Rangers, being used regularly as a starter from 2001 to 2005, then exclusively as a reliever from 2006 to 2008. He had his best season for them in 2007, when he saved 6 games and went 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 82 innings. However, he began experiencing arm problems the following season, when his ERA jumped to 5.00, and he missed all of 2009. He resurfaced in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays where he found tremendous success as a set-up man for closer Rafael Soriano, posting an ERA of 1.34 in 63 games.
On September 3, 2002, Benoit recorded the longest save in major league history, pitching 7 innings in relief of Todd Van Poppel, who earned the win after replacing Aaron Myette who was ejected after throwing only two pitches. He allowed one run on one hit in the 7-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles; that hit was a 9th-inning triple by Jerry Hairston, and the only one surrendered by the Rangers that day.
On November 17, 2010, Benoit signed as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers, inking a three-year deal worth $16.5 million. In his first season with the Tigers in 2011, he was 4-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 66 games acting as the set-up man for Jose Valverde, who also had an outstanding season. He struck out 63 in 61 innings, giving up only 47 hits and 17 walks. He did not allow a run over his final 22 innings. In the postseason, he gave up a single earned run in 7 1/3 innings over 5 appearances.
