StaTuesday: Thornburg sets Brewers record with 23 straight outs

Tyler Thornburg last allowed a base runner with no outs in the top of the ninth inning May 19 vs. the Chicago Cubs.

The 27-year-old relief pitcher has been perfect since then, retiring 23 straight batters to set a new record for Brewers relievers.

Thornburg broke the record of 22 held by Dan Plesac and Derrick Turnbow by striking out Philadelphia's Cody Asche in the eighth inning Saturday. He's appeared in eight games during the streak, striking out eight batters, earning his first-career save and lowering his ERA from 4.32 to 2.96.

*Note: Does not include first two batters of May 19 appearance, as Thornburg walked the first two batters.

Plesac retired 22 straight batters over five games from Aug. 7-18, 1987, his second season in the major leagues. He struck out eight batters during the streak and earned two saves, part of an All-Star season in which he threw 79 1/3 innings and posted a 2.61 ERA.

Turnbow's streak came from July 10-31, 2005, during his first season with the Brewers. He struck out eight batters and earned four saves in the stretch and finished the year with a 1.74 ERA in 67 1/3 innings.

Thornburg's streak isn't the longest in Brewers history, however, or even the second longest. The longest belongs to starter Jaime Navarro, who retired 28 straight over two starts in July 1992. Starter Jim Slaton retired 27 straight over two starts in April 1976.

Data courtesy baseball-reference.com and Elias Sports Bureau via brewers.com.