Yep. Pitching the last 3 innings with a lead start to finish gets you a save no matter how big the deficit as long as you pitch "effectively".
Saves:
Rule 10.20 in the Official Rule Book states:
Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and
(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
- (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
- (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces; or
- (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/rules_regulations.jspIn this case Miller entered the game with a 17 run lead. 3 scoreless innings is definitely effective. Would have been an interesting call if he had given up 7 or 8 runs. Then not exactly effective but nowhere close to blowing the game. It would be interesting to see at what point Miller could have given up runs in such a game before the official scorer declared he. while preserving the win, was not effective.