Texas Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo extended his scoreless run to 29.1 innings during Thursday’s 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles, giving him the Rangers’ longest such streak since Kenny Rogers tossed 31 consecutive scoreless innings in 2005, according to the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).
Gallardo only struck out two batters during Thursday’s game yet still held the Orioles to no runs on just two hits and three walks over six innings. He didn’t pick up a decision, but the Rangers eventually scored a pair of runs in the ninth inning to walk away with a 2-0 victory.
Gallardo has now held his opponents scoreless in four consecutive starts, allowing just 14 hits over 26.1 innings during that stretch despite posting an ugly 13-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The surprising streak has sunk his ERA from 3.45 to 2.56 for the season, putting him fourth among all qualified starters in the American League.
Advanced metrics suggest the 29-year-old has been among the luckiest pitchers in the league, as his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) sits at 3.48, with his Skill Independent ERA (SIERA) at an even 4.00, according to FanGraphs.
Although the recent level of success is likely unsustainable for a pitcher who otherwise seems to be in the declining phase of his career, Gallardo has at least proved to be the one reliable starter in an otherwise shaky rotation.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com