Sabathia climbs all-time lefty strikeout list
CC Sabathia is pitching like the player of old.
The 35-year-old left-hander pitched brilliantly in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, allowing two runs - none earned - across seven innings of work, while striking out seven.
With the great performance, Sabathia moved into a tie with Chuck Finley for 23rd on Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout list, also tying him for sixth all-time among southpaws.
All-time strikeouts by left-handers
PLAYER | SEASONS | STRIKEOUTS |
---|---|---|
Randy Johnson | 22 | 4875 |
Steve Carlton | 24 | 4136 |
Mickey Lolich | 16 | 2832 |
Frank Tanana | 21 | 2773 |
Chuck Finley | 17 | 2610 |
CC Sabathia | 16 | 2610 |
Including Thursday, Sabathia has made two starts since coming off the disabled list with a left groin strain. The big left-hander has allowed just one earned run and five hits across 13 innings of work, striking out 15 in the process.
Sabathia is in the last season of a seven-year, $161-million contract signed in December of 2008.
He does have a $25-million vesting option for 2017 that is guaranteed if he does not end 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, does not spend more than 45 days in 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, or does not make more than six relief appearances in 2016 because of a left shoulder injury.