Yu Darvish Claims Eight Consecutive Strikeouts against Reds, Breaks Cubs Record

Chicago Cubs starter Yu Darvish set a new club record with eight consecutive strikeouts during Tuesday night’s game against Cincinnati Reds. Darvish’s streak started on the second inning when he struck out Sonny Gray and Josh VanMeter to end inning. He then consecutively removed Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, and Aristides Aquino to end the third inning. In the fourth inning, he got Darvish whiffed Tucker Barnhart, Phillip Ervin, and Brian O’Gray after which the streak ended in the fifth inning when José Peraza lined out to third base to kick off.

The major league record for consecutive strikeouts is 10, held by the Mets’ Tom Seaver, who accomplished the feat on April 22, 1970 against the Padres.

After the match, Darvis admitted that he did know about the record even though he was striking batters out.

“I didn’t know that,” he said. “I knew I was striking out a lot of guys, but I didn’t know eight straight.”

Darvish’s effort, however, weren’t enough for the Cubs as they were defeated 4-2 by the Reds.

“I think I’m in a pretty good place,” Darvish said. “But still, we lost today. We only need wins at this point. So, I’m so frustrated.”

Cubs manager Joe Maddon also praised Darvish’s run, which now sees him claim 24 strikeouts over a span of nine frames.

“Yu’s on quite a run right now,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I don’t even know if some of that stuff’s been done before. But, unfortunately, their guy is really good, too. In spite of us really swinging the bats well lately, Sonny did a nice job also.”

“Right now, he’s comfortable. And that’s why you’re seeing the product on the field. He’s healthy. He feels great about where he’s at.”

A win would have seen them closer to the National League Central leaders Cardinals. Instead, they are now even with the Brewers for the second play-off spot.

“We’re just trying to win the division right now,” Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “There’s still a lot of time on the table. A lot of things can happen in the next 12 days, so when we get to that point, we’ll focus on that. For right now, we’ve got to keep grinding.”