Marlins’ Pablo Lopez strikes out first 9 Braves batters for modern-era MLB record

Atlanta Braves batters had no answers for Pablo Lopez their first time through the order on Sunday.

The Miami Marlins pitcher stuck out the first three batters he faced in the NL East matchup. He then repeated the effort in the second and third innings, setting a modern-era (post 1900) MLB record by striking out nine consecutive batters to start a game.

His strikeout of pitcher Ian Anderson to end the third inning was his last of the day. But nine was enough as Lopez picked up the win in a 7-4 victory over the Braves. He finished the day allowing three earned runs in six innings with two walks to go with his nine strikeouts.

Lopez’s effort breaks the previous modern-era record of eight strikeouts to start a game held by German Marquez (2018), Jacob deGrom (2014), and Jim Deshaies (1986). Mickey Welch stuck out the first nine batters he faced while pitching for the New York Gothams in 1884, according to MLB.