In this Yankees news update, 26-year-old New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances recorded his 131st and 132 strikeouts in Friday's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, setting a new Yankees single-season record for a relief pitcher in the process.
Who did he pass? The one-and-only Mariano Rivera, whose record had remained on the books for just under 18 years.
"Just to be mentioned around his name, you are talking about the best closer, the best reliever in the game," said Betances, via Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com."Just to be in the same breath as him, you know I take thrill in that. As far as innings, he did it with one pitch so I think that is more amazing."
Betances fanned Kevin Kirkmeier and David DeJesus in the bottom of the eighth to secure his name in the history books, as he continues to fuel a vocal segment of the fan base's desire to see him replace David Robertson as the team's closer with Robertson slated to hit free agency this offseason.
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