When he takes the mound for his second career start on Thursday, Ross Stripling has a chance to make history.
Already the first pitcher since Steve Adkins in 1990 to debut in the major leagues with a hitless start, the Dodgers right-hander can become the 10th pitcher since Johnny Vander Meer’s back-to-back no-hitters in 1938 to go without allowing a hit in consecutive starts.
Why haven’t you heard about this piece of history? Well, the last pitcher to do it was Alexi Ogando, who was pulled after two perfect innings as he transitioned to a bullpen role at the end of the 2011 season, then threw three hitless innings in a spot start in June of the following season, with 28 relief appearances in between his starts.