ATLANTA — Spencer Strider added another milestone in his sensational rookie season during Sunday’s start.
By striking out Philadelphia’s Nick Maton to begin the fifth inning, Strider became the third rookie in franchise history to reach the 200-strikeout mark and the first in the modern era. Strider needed only 130 innings to collect 200 strikeouts.
In the Braves’ 5-2 win over the Phillies on Sunday at Truist Park, Strider struck out 10 batters over six innings. He allowed one run on one hit. The right-hander ranks sixth in the majors with 202 strikeouts this season.
Strider joined Bill Stemmyer (239 strikeouts in 1886) and Kid Nichols (222 in 1890) as the only rookies in franchise history to tally at least 200 strikeouts.
Since 2000, only five Braves pitchers have struck out 200 batters in a season. Along with Strider, teammate Charlie Morton (216 strikeouts in 2021), Mike Foltynewicz (202 in 2018), Javier Vázquez (238 in 2009) and John Smoltz (211 in 2006) did it.
After a disappointing end to their road trip, the Braves (91-55) swept the Phillies in this three-game series. They played complete games, as they have often done during this pennant race.
As Strider dazzled on Sunday, Atlanta’s bats tried to break through. The Braves’ only run against Philadelphia’s Bailey Falter scored on Robbie Grossman’s double. But the offense kept grinding.
After Alec Bohm tied the game with a sixth-inning solo home run off Strider – the only hit Strider allowed – William Contreras launched a solo shot of his own in the bottom half. In the seventh, Grossman homered and Austin Riley added a run-scoring single as Atlanta provided insurance runs against the Phillies’ bullpen. In the eighth inning, Marcell Ozuna doubled home another run.
After Strider’s outing ended, Tyler Matzek (seventh inning) and A.J. Minter (eighth) pitched scoreless innings. Jesse Chavez gave up a two-out home run in the ninth but finished the game.
It all started with the rookie sensation who continues making everything look easy.
In the spring, Strider broke camp with the Braves – as a reliever. During his time in the bullpen, Strider displayed his strikeout stuff. All along, the Braves viewed Strider as a starter.
In late May, they finally put him in the starting rotation.
He has not looked back since.
At the beginning of September, Strider set an Atlanta record with 16 strikeouts in a game. He has tallied six double-digit strikeout games in 20 starts.
He is a strikeout machine.
