Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke held the New York Mets to one earned run Thursday night, thus setting an MLB record by allowing two earned runs or fewer in 22 consecutive starts, per ESPN New York's Adam Rubin. The previous record of 21 consecutive outings was shared by Greinke and Roger Clemens, the latter of whom accomplished the feat while pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 1990 and 1991.
Greinke started his streak on July 30, 2013, in Dodger Stadium, holding the New York Yankees to two earned runs in seven innings of work. He took no decision in that start, while the Dodgers went on to win the game 3-2.
Over his final 12 starts of 2013, including the July 30 game, Greinke allowed only 14 earned runs in 79.2 innings for a sparkling 1.58 ERA. He tallied seven wins while dropping only one decision and struck out 73 batters for a rate of 8.25 K's per nine innings pitched.
With Clayton Kershaw missing the first five weeks of the 2014 season, Greinke has truly been the Dodgers' staff ace. Through 10 starts, the right-hander is 7-1 with a 2.01 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 65:14 K:BB ratio in 58.1 innings.
Granted, it's only late May, but if Greinke continues pitching the way he has since late last season, he should work his way into the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award. His 2.01 ERA and 10.03 K/9 mark are both better than the numbers he posted during his 2009 AL Cy Young season with the Kansas City Royals, and the Dodgers have enough offensive firepower to help the right-hander win 20 games.
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