DENVER -- With an important game in a playoff race the real issue, Rockies right-hander German Marquez got the record-breaking out of the way early Wednesday night at Coors Field.
Marquez fanned the first eight Phillies he faced to tie a Major League record for consecutive strikeouts to start a game. It had previously been done by the Astros' Jim Deshaies and the Mets' Jacob deGrom.
Marquez's first six whiffs on the night brought his season strikeout total to 216, a new Rockies single-season record.