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This Day in Sports History: Kerry Wood Ties Major League Record With 20 Strikeouts

When Cubs rookie Kerry Wood took the mound on May 6, 1998, it seemed like an ordinary day. Nine innings later, it ended in one of the most historic games witnessed at Wrigley Field when he tied the major league record with 20 strikeouts.

Wood faced the Astros that day in only the fifth start of his MLB career. Houston boasted the second-best scoring record in the National League at the time, but the team didn't look like it against Wood. His first pitch got away from him and flew over catcher Sandy Martinez to hit home plate umpire Jerry Meals in the facemask.