UNC Baseball: Zac Gallen makes National League History
Former UNC Baseball standout Zac Gallen made National League history in his most recent MLB start.
Former UNC Baseball standout Zac Gallen’s big league career is off to an impressive start here in this shorted 60-game 2020 season.
The current Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher is showing signs of being able to be a really good pitcher and his latest start further proved that. On Tuesday evening, the 24-year-old made his fourth start of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he pitched in a tough setting at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.
Once again, the former Tar Heel was impressive, allowing just two earned runs over seven innings of work. Although he did not pick up a decision in the contest, Gallen made National League history.
In allowing two earned runs across seven innings tonight at Colorado, former @DiamondHeels standout Zac Gallen has surrendered 3 or fewer earned runs in each of his 19 career starts. That's the longest such streak to start a career in National League history.
— Pat James (@patjames24) August 12, 2020
Through his first 19 starts in the big leagues, Gallen has not allowed more than three earned runs in any contest. This sets a new National League record, which was previously held by Montreal’s Steve Rogers (18 games from 1973-1974).
Now that he’s broken the National League record, the right-hander will look to tie and eventually break the Major League record. The current record holder is Aaron Sele, who had 21 consecutive such starts for the Boston Red Sox during the 1993-1994 season.
Recently, we’ve discussed how Gallen was off to a solid start this season. Although he doesn’t have a decision through four starts this season, the former Tar Heel holds a 2.74 ERA, having allowed just seven earned runs over 23 innings of work.
Since being acquired by the Diamondbacks last season, Gallen has been a great addition to their rotation. As the young right-hander continues to impress, you have to figure that the organization expects him to be a long-term fixture in their starting rotation.
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