DeGrom matches record by striking out eight

Jacob deGrom struck out his first eight batters to match a major league record before the Miami Marlins finally started making contact Monday night and rallied late for a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets.

Adeiny Hechavarria hit a two-run single and Jeff Mathis put Miami in front with an RBI single that capped a three-run eighth inning. But with both teams under .500 with two weeks left in the season, it was deGrom who provided the excitement early on. On a night when New York’s goofy mascot, Mr. Met, wore a shaggy wig to mimic deGrom, the rookie finished with 13 strikeouts in seven innings. He whiffed eight consecutive Marlins to begin the game, tying a mark set by Jim Deshaies of the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 23, 1986.

Deshaies and deGrom are the only pitchers to accomplish the feat since 1900.

Now a Chicago Cubs broadcaster, Deshaies noted the occasion on Twitter: “Congratulations to Jacob Degrom for tying one of the most hallowed records in all of sport,’’ he posted.

A top contender for National League Rookie of the Year, deGrom equaled the record by freezing Mathis with a 95-mph fastball for a called third strike.

AP