Joaquín Benoit

Joaquín Benoit
Benoit with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 53
Relief pitcher
Born: (1977-07-26) July 26, 1977 (age 39) Santiago, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 8, 2001, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics (through 2016 season)
Win–loss record	57–43
Earned run average	3.79
Strikeouts	1,012
Saves	51
Teams
Texas Rangers (2001–2008) Tampa Bay Rays (2010) Detroit Tigers (2011–2013) San Diego Padres (2014–2015) Seattle Mariners (2016) Toronto Blue Jays (2016)

Joaquín Antonio Benoit Peña (born July 26, 1977) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.

Signing with the Rangers at the age of 18, Benoit was with the Rangers' organization until 2009. Except rehab assignments after stints on the disabled list, he was with the Major League club full-time since midway through the 2003 season. Benoit's seven years with the Texas Rangers made him the second-longest tenured member of the team after Michael Young.

Originally a starter, Benoit was moved to the bullpen part-time in the 2003 season. Since then, he had served in various relief roles, making spot starts as necessary.

Benoit holds the Major League record for having recorded the longest save, seven innings, since it became an official statistic in 1969. He relieved Todd Van Poppel at the start of the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles on September 3, 2002 and nearly completed a combined no-hitter, as Baltimore's only hit in the game came leading off the ninth inning. The official scorer credited the win to Van Poppel and not Benoit, a decision that was also supported by Texas manager Jerry Narron.