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Red Sox pitchers combine for MLB record-tying 20 strikeouts

By Sean Penney

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) prepares to deliver a pitch in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) prepares to deliver a pitch in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Drew Pomeranz and the Boston Red Sox bullpen combined to strike out 20 hitters Thursday night, tying an MLB record for a nine-inning game.

A blown call by an umpire in the ninth inning that went against the Boston Red Sox ended up helping them make history.

It wasn’t a save situation, yet Craig Kimbrel was called upon to protect a four-run lead because he needed to get some work in after sitting for five straight day.

Leading off the inning, Kimbrel enticed Nomar Mazara to chase a two-strike pitch that dove in toward the batter and ended up hitting him. Since Mazara swung, it should have been ruled a strikeout, negating the hit-by-pitch. Instead, the umpire missed the pitch ricocheting off the hitter’s heel and called a wild pitch. This allowed Mazara to run to first base, where he was ruled safe.

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After some confusion on how the official scorer would rule, it was later confirmed that Kimbrel was credited with a strikeout. The Texas Rangers put a runner on base, although it ultimately wouldn’t matter. Kimbrel punched out the next three batters to end the game, securing the rare accomplishment of striking out four batters in an inning.

There have only been 80 instances of a pitcher striking out four batters in one inning in major league history, while Kimbrel is responsible for two of them. He has now accomplished this rare feat in both leagues, with his first time coming as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2012.

As if that wasn’t historic enough, Kimbrel’s fourth strikeout gave the Red Sox their 20th of the game, tying an MLB record for a nine-inning game.

This is only the sixth time in major league history that a team has racked up 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. The Red Sox are responsible for three of those. Rogers Clemens has a pair of 20 strikeout games on his resume, both of which came during his years in Boston.

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Starter Drew Pomeranz had his best start of the season, holding the Rangers to two runs over six innings and tying his career-high with 11 strikeouts. The maligned lefty bounced back from his controversial early exit in his last outing. While he isn’t lasting deep into games, Pomeranz has allowed two runs or less in six of his last seven starts.

Heath Hembree and Robby Scott combined to strikeout the side in the seventh inning, followed by a scoreless eighth from Matt Barnes, who added two more K’s.

History didn’t seem to be in the cards heading into the ninth inning with only 16 strikeouts accounted for by Red Sox pitching. An umpire’s blunder allowed Kimbrel to face an extra hitter, enabling the team to reach the 20 strikeout milestone.

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If there is anything more rare than a 20 strikeout game or a four strikeout inning, it’s an umpire’s call going against your team only for it to turn out favorable in the end. While manager John Farrell initially stormed out on the field to protest the ruling, he really should have been thanking the crew for helping them make history.

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