LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dodgers pitcher Aaron Harang struck out nine straight batters Friday night, setting a franchise record for one game.
Harang gave up a leadoff single to Cameron Maybin before striking out the next nine San Diego Padres hitters, breaking Johnny Podres’ club record of eight in a row set against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 2, 1962. Harang’s streak ended when Will Venable homered leading off the fourth.
Hall of Famer Tom Seaver set the major league record with 10 consecutive strikeouts for the New York Mets against the Padres on April 22, 1970. Seaver fanned the final 10 San Diego batters in that game.
Harang, who pitched for the Padres last season, had 13 strikeouts through six innings, matching his career high. The big league record for a nine-inning game is 20.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Harang is far from a classic fireballer, though he did lead the NL with 216 strikeouts in 2006 for Cincinnati. The following year he finished second with 218, but he hasn’t fanned more than 153 in a season since.
Harang, who turns 34 next month, began the night 29th among active pitchers with 1,335 strikeouts. For his career, the right-hander was averaging 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
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