run to Andres Galarraga on July 1. The Dodger closer again, he had just four saves entering June but saved eight games that month, without blowing an opportunity. For the first time since 1988, he was selected to the NL All-Star team for the second time, though he did not pitch in the game. On July 23, against the Florida Marlins, he entered the game with one out in the eighth, one runner on base, and the Dodgers leading 3–1. Worrell struck out Jeff Conine but then walked the next two hitters to load the bases. However, he struck out Tommy Gregg to end the inning, then allowed just one run in the ninth, preserving the lead as the Dodgers won 4–2. He threw a scoreless inning on September 25 to pick up the save in a 4–3 victory over Colorado. Worrell converted 32 saves in 36 opportunities, ranking fourth in the NL in saves. In 59 games, he had a 4–1 record, a 2.02 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 19 walks, and 50 walks in innings. 1996 Worrell enjoyed what reporter Jason Reid called "his best season" in 1996. Dating back to September 2 of the previous year, he had a streak of 24 scoreless innings that lasted until Jeff King had an RBI single against him in a 4–2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 5. He saved five games from June 13 through June 19. For the second year in a row, he was selected to the NL All-Star team, pitching a scoreless eighth in the NL's 6–0 victory. In August, he had 10 saves, including saves in six straight appearances from August 22 through August 30. After blowing his ninth save of the year on September 1, he converted his remaining seven save opportunities that month as the Dodgers clinched a trip to the playoffs by winning the NL Wild Card. Worrell finished the season with a career-high 44 saves, tied with Jeff Brantley's total for the NL lead and a Dodger single-season record until Eric Gagne had 52 in 2002. In 72 games, he had a 4–6 record, a 3.03 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 70 hits allowed in innings pitched. He finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting and finished 21st in NL Most Valuable Player Award voting. Worrell threw a scoreless ninth in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the