Fernandez sets Marlins record for 10-K games in a season
By the time Jose Fernandez is through with the Miami Marlins' record books, he may be the only name on the pages.
Fernandez baffled the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, striking out 13 batters over seven innings while allowing just one run in the Marlins' series-clinching 6-1 victory over baseball's best team. It was the sixth 10-plus strikeout game of 2016 for the 23-year-old, which set a new club record.
The previous club mark was held by Ricky Nolasco, who had five 10-K outings in 2008 and 2009.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
It's not the first club record Fernandez has eclipsed this year. His 56 strikeouts in May set a record for most punch-outs in a single month, while he also broke the team's career double-digit strikeout games record earlier in June. Both of those marks were, coincidentally, also held by Nolasco.
Fernandez is now averaging 13.12 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, the best such mark in all of baseball. His 138 strikeouts have him just three back of Clayton Kershaw for the league lead.
Fernandez's sixth strikeout of Sunday's game was also significant, as it moved him past teammate Tom Koehler for ninth place on the Marlins' all-time strikeout list.
Despite Fernandez's brilliant season, Marlins starters came into Sunday's game owning a collective 4.11 ERA.