The Tampa Bay Rays' opener strategy has yielded a record-breaking effort from right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek.
Sending Stanek to the bump to begin Saturday's game against the Houston Astros, the 26-year-old reliever set the record for most consecutive starts without allowing a run with his seventh such appearance.
Ryne Stanek's seven consecutive scoreless starts is the longest streak since @baseball_ref data is available (1908).
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 30, 2018
Change our minds. pic.twitter.com/Ob5RHwrgPG
Of course, the record will be scrutinized by some, as Stanek acted as Tampa Bay's "opener" for those seven games, never working more than two innings in any start. In total, over the contests, Stanek pitched 9 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out 12.
Due to injuries, the Rays have opted to use this strategy to help capitalize on platoon splits. On Saturday, the right-handed Stanek opened the game before turning the ball over to the left-handed Vidal Nuno. So far this season, 13 different pitchers have made at least one start for the Rays.
