Enny Romero established a new Rays franchise record for consecutive hitters retired with help from his cut fastball, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Romero established a new Rays franchise record for consecutive hitters retired to start a season with help from his cut fastball, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

Romero's streak of having retired 17 straight hitters to start the 2016 season set a new high-water mark for Rays pitchers. The 25-year-old fireballer's conventional fastball tops out as high as 99 mph, but Romero explains that his selective use of a cutter has been instrumental in his success, despite the pitch averaging only about 90 mph. "One year [in the Minor Leagues], I lost my fastball and picked up the cutter," Romero said. "Now I don't use [the cutter] that much, but it gives me a different look [to throw at hitters]." The southpaw has been virtually unhittable over 7.2 innings of work in 2016, surrendering only a hit, an earned run and two walks, while fanning seven.