MLB
Padres’ Jeremiah Estrada enters MLB record books
This week, the San Diego Padres pitcher set the longest strikeout streak in the expansion era, overtaking the previous best, set in 2023.
It’s been quite a ride for San Diego Padres pitcher Jeremiah Estrada, who only a few months ago found himself ousted from the Chicago Cubs’ roster and placed in Triple-A. The Padres acquired him off waivers in November 2023 and since then, things have not just started going his way again, but he’s going from strength to strength. This week, the 25-year-old Californian extended his impressive strikeout run to 13 in a row, setting a new record during the MLB the expansion era (post 1961).
Estrada letting strikeout record “sink in”
Estrada struck out Sixto Sánchez then had Jake Burger and Dee Strange-Gordon swinging and missing in Tuesday’s 4-0 win against the Miami Marlins. An elated Estrada celebrated by punching his chest, pointing to the heavens and hugging catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Jeremiah Estrada's strikeout victims
- Nick Martini (Cincinnati Reds)
- Jonathan India (Cincinnati Reds)
- Luke Maile (Cincinnati Reds)
- Joe Benson (Cincinnati Reds)
- Stuart Fairchild (Cincinnati Reds)
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
- Alex Verdugo (New York Yankees)
- Giancarlo Stanton (New York Yankees)
- Anthony Rizzo (New York Yankees)
- Gleyber Torres (New York Yankees)
- Sixto Sánchez (Miami Marlins)
- Jake Burger (Miami Marlins)
- Dee Strange-Gordon (Miami Marlins)
He extends his run after striking out Aaron Judge, Alex Verdugo, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres in Sunday’s 5-2 home victory against the New York Yankees.
“It’s kind of hard to believe,” Estrada said afterwards. “I feel like I just got done playing a video game and I finally accomplished a mission that I’ve been trying to go after for so long. It’s hard for it to sink in right now. I just feel like I did my job and we got the win. I wouldn’t for sure have accomplished what I accomplished today without the vibes here, the coaches here, the staff. It’s all about good vibes”.
Padres manager Mike Shildt added that Estrada possesses, “An elite fastball, and then tonight he was throwing some splitters that were filthy. He has a special arm and special stuff.”
Estrada takes the record from Philadelphia Phillies’ Venezuelan pitcher Jose Alvarado, who became the first MLB relief pitcher to strike out 11 consecutive batters in one single season, achievuing the feat at Citizens Bank Park in April 2023 - curiously, also achieving the record against the Marlins.
The Padres (30-28, third in the NL West) take on the Marlins (19-37, fifth in the NL East) at Petco Park in the third games of the series this afternoon at 4:10 p.m. EDT.