Brewers’ Corbin Burnes Sets Strikeout Record

Milwaukee Brewers righthander Corbin Burnes struck out 10 San Diego batters in six innings on the way to a 6-0 win over the Padres in San Diego on April 20th. Burnes did not walk anyone in those six innings; in fact, in four starts this season, Burnes has struck out 40 and walked none in 24 1/3 innings. The 40 strikeouts and no walks in four games by a starting pitcher is a major league record, both to start a season or at any time in a season, breaking a record set by the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright, who struck out 35 in four starts in 2013. Kenley Jansen of the Dodgers holds the major league record of 51 strikeouts with no walks to start a season, but Jansen pitched entirely in relief when he had that streak in 2017.

Burnes improved to 2-1 on the season with a best in the major leagues 0.37 ERA; he’s second in strikeouts. In his rookie season of 2018, Burnes looked promising, appearing in 30 games all in relief with a record of 7-0 and one save, plus a victory pitching in relief in the post season. But in 2019, Burnes appeared in 32 games, with four starts, and went 1-5 with a horrible 8.82 ERA in 49 innings. Opposing batters hit a whopping .330 against him. Burnes completely overhauled his game that off season, dumping the windup for a more compact stretch delivery, among other things. It paid off. He was 4-1 in 12 appearances (including nine starts) in the Covid shortened 2020 season, with a 2.11 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. At age 26, Burnes should have many more good seasons in front of him.

Take a look at this great catch by Brewers’ left fielder Billy McKinney to rob Wil Myers of an extra base hit: