Spencer Strider is taking over. The Atlanta Braves pitcher has been downright electric of late but took it up another notch in their Thursday night contest against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Strider got every out in the first, second and third innings all via strikeout ā becoming the first player in Atlanta Braves franchise history to achieve such a feat.
.@SpencerSTRIDer tonight became the first pitcher in Atlanta franchise history to record each of his first nine outs via strikeout.
(Research courtesy @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/joD7WYiOeX
ā Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 8, 2022
Check out the man with the groomed mustache making Cardinals hitters swing and miss all evening:
9 strikeouts through 3 innings seems pretty good, you guys šØš»@SpencerSTRIDer | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/503ZPrhZRi
ā Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 8, 2022
Spencer Strider has been on an absolute tear as a starter of late. In his last three starters, the Braves rookie has posted an ERA of 0.50, allowing just one run in 18.0 innings with a strikeout rate nearing two per inning at 30 total Ks and just three walks.
Most fans thought he was hitting his peak in a recent start, when he became Braves rookie in over a decade to go scoreless through six innings with seven strikeouts. But strider was only just scratching the surface, finishing his latest start with the same result but upped the K count all the way to 12.
He's not only setting Braves franchise history. He's also doing things that no rookies in the entire history of the MLB have ever done. Strider has now posted two consecutive starts of 11 strikeouts with two or fewer hits, which a freshman tosser has never done before.
More on Spencer Striderā¦
Strider is the FIRST ROOKIE in MLB's Modern Era (since 1900) with 11+ strikeouts and 2 or fewer hits allowed in consecutive starts. pic.twitter.com/BNIzgHqsEK
ā ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 8, 2022
The Atlanta Braves have something special in Spencer Strider. If the can continue at this torrid pace all the way up to the postseason, their chances for a repeat start to look better by the day.