SEATTLE (AP) — Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom became the fastest pitcher in major league history to reach 1,800 career strikeouts by games and innings on Sunday.
In the second inning against Seattle, deGrom got Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford to swing through a 98.7 mph four-seam fastball for his fourth K of the game. With the strikeout, deGrom became the fasted to 1,800 career strikeouts in games (240) and innings pitched (1,493 1/3).
The 37-year-old right-hander beat the marks of two left-handers. Hall-of-Famer Randy Johnson needed 243 games to record 1,800 strikeouts. It took the Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale 1,498 innings.