Money man: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera sets record with 4th All-Star save

Mariano Rivera sets record with 4th All-Star save

ST. LOUIS — Mariano Rivera is a big reason the American League is on such a roll in All-Star games.

It helps when the ninth inning is never a problem.

Baseball’s most dominant closer set a record with his fourth All-Star save Tuesday night, getting three quick outs to preserve a 4-3 victory over the NL at Busch Stadium.

“Beautiful game,” Rivera said. “All these guys are stars. So you better bring your ‘A’ game.”

With its seventh straight win, the AL improved to 12-0-1 since 1996 — the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star history.

Rivera is unmatched, too. The New York Yankees reliever broke the All-Star saves mark he previously shared with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, just the latest impressive line on a remarkable resume.

Amazingly, he’s pretty much done it all with one nasty pitch — his famous cut fastball.

“It was great,” Rivera said. “I think our guys gave me the opportunity to be there and I had to come in and shut it down.”

The 39-year-old Rivera earned his 500th save last month. With a total of 505, he ranks second on the career list to Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman (574), who also pitched Tuesday night.

Hoffman, however, squandered a chance to end the NL drought three years ago in Pittsburgh, where he gave up Michael Young’s go-ahead, two-run triple with two outs in the ninth.

Rivera saved that game and has been flawless in the Midsummer Classic, also converting chances in 1997 and 2005. The right-hander hasn’t allowed a run in eight All-Star innings.

“I’m used to seeing it,” Yankees teammate Derek Jeter said. “I’ve been seeing it for 17 years now. Nothing he does surprises me.”

Under the spotlight, nobody is better than Rivera. In addition to his All-Star record, he also owns the postseason mark with 34 saves.

He’s showing no signs of slowing down, either. Quiet, humble and unassuming, Rivera is 1-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 23 saves in 24 chances this year. In 36 games, he has 43 strikeouts and three walks — one intentional.

“I just try to do my job — make sure I get three outs before they score a run,” he said. “That was basically it.”