The 2019 Oakland A’s set another franchise record this week, though this one didn’t have anything to do with hitting lots of homers. Instead it came in regard to pitching, as closer Liam Hendriks set the all-time club mark for most strikeouts in a season by a reliever.
On Tuesday against the Royals, Hendriks recorded his 116th strikeout in relief, breaking the previous record of 115 held by Hall of Fame closer Rollie Fingers. Hendriks actually has 118 Ks on the year, but two of them came when he was serving as a 1st-inning opener, and so technically he was a starter when he earned them.