Rangers' Jacob deGrom reaches 2,000 strikeouts in 2nd-fewest games and innings pitched

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jacob deGrom reached 2,000 career strikeouts in the second-fewest games and innings pitched in major league history when the Texas Rangers right-hander fanned the first two batters among his 10 K's in a 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.

DeGrom struck out Daylen Lile and Abimelec Ortiz, both of whom chased sliders below the zone. He received a standing ovation and acknowledged the applause by tapping his cap over his heart.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner said the achievement was “cool” but added he likely won't reflect on it or other personal milestones until he's done pitching.

“Maybe whenever my career is over I’ll look at that kind of stuff,” he said. “But even when the season’s over, I’m like, ‘I’ve got to figure out a way to get outs the following year.’”

DeGrom (9-8, 3.77 ERA) allowed a second-inning single and a fifth-inning walk, both to Brady House, in six innings while throwing 94 pitches. He struck out the side in the fourth, and his 10 strikeouts matched a season best.

DeGrom was pulled from his previous start on Aug. 13 after only two innings because of triceps fatigue. Texas manager Skip Schumaker was among those who feared deGrom would go on the injured list. Instead, his start against Washington was pushed back one day.

“It was vintage deGrom,” Schumaker said.

DeGrom has 2,008 strikeouts in 1,666 1/3 innings over 272 starts since his big league debut in 2014 with the New York Mets. He has 157 strikeouts in 126 2/3 innings this season.

Hall of Famer Randy Johnson got his 2,000th strikeout in his 262nd appearance for the fewest games. Chris Sale holds the record for fewest innings at 1,626.

The 38-year-old deGrom is the ninth active player and 95th in history to reach the milestone. He is the fourth this season, following Kevin Gausman, Sonny Gray and Aaron Nola.

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