St. Louis Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal reaches milestone

ST. LOUIS -- It doesn't seem like closer Trevor Rosenthal has been around long enough to start reaching milestones.

Yet there he was, earning his 100th career save Wednesday by striking out the side in the ninth inning to wrap up a 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs. That makes him the fifth pitcher in franchise history to reach that milestone, joining the likes of Jason Isringhausen, Lee Smith, Todd Worrell and Bruce Sutter.

"I didn't know that anybody had any idea of it," Rosenthal said when asked about reaching 100. "It makes it a little extra special for me, and I appreciate everyone coming together and celebrating it."

Rosenthal didn't become a closer until the final week of the 2013 season when it was obvious that Edward Mujica had run out of gas. Rosenthal fought control trouble in 2014, blew away hitters last year for a club-record 48 saves and looks ready to notch another 40 or more saves this season.

At one time, there was talk that Rosenthal wanted to try his hand as a starter, as he did for 48 of his 66 minor-league games. But that seems to have quieted down in the same way that he puts opponents to sleep in the ninth inning.