Buehrle earns 200th career win in rout of Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle pitched his way into the record books Friday.
The soft-tossing southpaw earned the 200th win of his career by working six innings of two-run ball in the Blue Jays' 12-5 blowout victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
"It’s going to mean more when I get home, retired and sit on the couch and look back," Buehrle told reporters. "It’s a round number. Obviously been around a while, stayed healthy, made some starts."
Buehrle allowed eight hits - including a solo homer to Adam Jones - walked two and struck out one in his season debut, spoiling the home opener for the sellout crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
"It's amazing," said teammate Jose Bautista. "He's certainly given his teams a lot more than 200 chances to win ballgames."
Buehrle, a 15-year veteran, became the fourth active pitcher to reach the 200-win mark, joining Bartolo Colon (205), CC Sabathia (208) and Tim Hudson (214). He became the 116th pitcher all-time to accomplish the feat.
Congrats to my non-biological father, Papa Buehrle, on his 200th win. You are a legend. Love you pops! #familyfirst
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) April 10, 2015
A day after 21-year-old rookie Daniel Norris earned the first win of his career, the 36-year-old Buehrle became the second pitcher in franchise history to record his 200th victory in a Blue Jays uniform.
Seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens was the first to do it during the 1997 season, his first of two with the Blue Jays.
Longevity and durability have been the keys to Buehrle's success. He has won 10-plus games and logged at least 200 innings in each of the last 14 seasons.