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 The untouchable Rangers rookie reliever Zimmerman baffling big leaguers
Posted: Monday July 12, 1999 03:37 PM
By Desmond M. Wallace, CNN/SI Texas reliever Jeff Zimmerman didn't start the season in the majors, but he already has quite a big league streak going for him. Armed with an 8-0 record and having blanked opponents in his last 21 2/3 innings heading into the All-Star break, Zimmerman is quickly making a name for himself in his rookie season. The 26-year-old righty middle reliever also sports a 0.86 ERA, holds hitters to a microscopic .106 batting average and was named to the American League All-Star team. He is one of 24 players who will make his All-Star debut. Zimmerman, who has not allowed a run since May 22, is just the latest major league pitcher this season to have registered a significant scoreless innings streak.
Earlier this season, Cincinnati's reliever Scott Williamson -- another outstanding rookie heading to the All-Star Game -- recorded 23 2/3 innings of untouchable pitching. In late June and early July, the Braves' Greg Maddux put together his own streak of 20 straight innings without allowing a run. Of course, to establish a new major league shutout innings streak, Zimmerman would have his work cut out for him. The two best scoreless streaks were set by Dodgers. In 1988, the Dodgers' Orel Hershiser threw goose eggs at National League batters for 59 consecutive innings. He would go on to win the Cy Young that year. Hershiser broke the record of 58 shutout innings, set by Don Drysdale, in the Year of the Pitcher, 1968.
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