With one out and a 1-2 count in the top of the fourth inning, Houston Astros starter Gerrit Cole struck out Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Olson with a 98-mph fastball up in the zone.
Not only was the punchout Cole's 200th on the season, but the right-hander achieved a number of other distinctions in the process.
Needing only 133 1/3 innings to reach the milestone, Cole officially became the second-fastest pitcher to record 200 strikeouts in a single season since 1900, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The only man to do it faster? Randy Johnson, who eclipsed the mark in 130 2/3 innings as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.
Cole also became the first Astros arm to produce back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons since Darryl Kile, according to MLB Stats. The late righty punched out 424 total batters between 1996-97.
Heading into Monday's tilt against the A's, Cole boasted a 3.12 ERA and a 10-5 record in 21 starts. His record stands to improve with his latest outing; Cole's teammates had already staked him to an 11-0 lead at the time of his 200th punchout.
