Yusmeiro Petit is a name not only most sports fans wouldn’t recognize, but most baseball fans as well. After Thursday, his name will likely be etched in baseball lore for a very long time.
Petit broke the major league record for most consecutive batters retired Thursday against the Rockies, retiring his 46th batter in a row. That’s nearly two complete games worth of hitters without anyone reaching base. In the history of Major League Baseball, such a feat has never been done by anyone. The record is now solely owned by a guy named Yusmeiro Petit.
I love the reaction from the McCovey Chronicles:
I can’t fathom … I’m not prepared … this is so hilarious and fantastic. He’s turning into the Forrest Gump of spot starters, accidentally inventing catch phrases and taking pictures with JFK, mostly by accident. He’s also a lot of fun to watch, suddenly. Even though he hovers around 89 or 90 with his fastball, his curveball is turning into quite the weapon.
The best news: Petit reclaimed the record from noted usurper Mark Buehrle, who had previously retired 45 straight batters to steal the record from Giants starter Jim Barr. Petit, a pitcher with great team pride, has returned this hallowed record to its rightful home. HANDS OFF, BUEHRLE.
Petit broke the record through seven relief appearances before his start Thursday in which he retired the first eight batters.
Petit had only made six starts all season before Thursday’s game. The last runner he allowed before Thursday’s game was on July 22 when Marlon Byrd doubled against him in the fifth inning.
Related: Cooperstown: My Trip To The Baseball Hall Of Fame
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
