After recovering from a horrific head injury during spring training, Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman has returned to his hard-throwing ways, following them to an MLB record Friday night.
Aroldis Chapman sets consecutive-game strikeout record
The Cincinnati Reds closer has bounced back from injury brilliantly, setting a mark for consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout.
Jamie Sabau
Aroldis Chapman sets the MLB record with 40 straight relief appearances with a strikeout
— Enquirer Sports (@ENQSports) July 12, 2014 For 37 years, the record belonged to Bruce Sutter, who struck out a batter in every appearance from June through October of 1977 as a member of the Cubs, according to Manny Randhawa of MLB.com.
Chapman has shown no ill effects from the concussion or titanium plate inserted to stabilize a facial fracture that happened on a line drive March 19. He has, however, started using his change-up more this season than previous years, according to Fangraphs. While the streak dates back to last year, 28 of the appearances have occurred this season, and the change-up has boosted his strikeout rate to the highest of his career, at 17.6 K/9.
The Cuban native will appear in his third consecutive All-Star Game, this time selected on the player’s ballot.
Goldschmidt spares Lincecum ... this time
Diamondback Paul Goldschmidt rather notoriously "has the number" of two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, but it appears at the very least he's found a way to keep the ball in the park this time. Considering Goldschmidt has seven HRs against Lincecum, he'll take it.
#SFGiants Tim Lincecum gets #Dbacks Paul Goldschmidt to fly out to right. Goldschmidt now 15-32 career against The Freak.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) July 12, 2014 The truest Yankee
With Derek Jeter on his way to Cooperstown and Cano off in Seattle, Brett Gardner will likely be the best homegrown Yankee position player left next season. It could be much worse.
Brett Gardner's streak of reaching base ended tonight at 24 games. It was the longest by a Yank since Cano had 26 straight in '12.
— Anthony McCarron (@AnthonyMcCarron) July 12, 2014 Friday’s Final Scores
Reds 6, Pirates 5
Giants 5, Diamondbacks 0
Mariners 3, A's 2
Cardinals 7, Brewers 6
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