ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Hirano’s scoreless streak continues, becomes longest in D-backs history

Jun 29, 2018, 9:34 PM | Updated: Jun 30, 2018, 7:56 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, of Japan, throws a pitch to the San Francisco...
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, of Japan, throws a pitch to the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Yoshihisa Hirano made history Friday night in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants, as he extended his scoreless streak.

Hirano came into the contest riding a 24-game scoreless streak, which was tied with former D-backs pitchers J.J. Putz (June 23-August 31, 2012) and Brandon Lyon (April 9-June 12, 2008).

After 2/3 innings on Friday — in which he struck out a single batter and didn’t allow a hit — Hirano’s streak extended to 25 games to become the longest in franchise history.

His streak is also tied for the second longest by a Japanese-born pitcher behind former Boston Red Sox pitcher Koji Uehara, who had 27 consecutive scoreless outings in 2013.

Hirano’s outings have proven to be effective for the D-backs.

In 22.1 innings of work since the start of the streak, Hirano has allowed just 13 hits and struck out 21 batters. He also walked nine more.

Hirano found himself in the middle of a battle for the closing role after he was signed by the D-backs in December.

After Brad Boxberger was named the closer and Archie Bradley returned to his eighth-inning spot, Hirano found himself as the seventh-inning reliever in one of the best bullpens in baseball.

Despite Hirano’s record-breaking night, the D-backs were unable to overcome a strong showing from San Francisco’s pitching staff, losing 2-1.

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith, right, shakes hands with catcher Buster Posey after the team's 2-1 win in a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith catches the baseball tossed to him by catcher Buster Posey after the final out of the team's baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. The Giants won 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco Giants left fielder Austin Slater, left, center fielder Gorkys Hernandez, middle, and right fielder Andrew McCutchen celebrate the team's 2-1 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Andrew Chafin pauses on the mound after giving up a run to the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, of Japan, throws a pitch to the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte scores as San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, right, kneels at home plate during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte (4) tags out San Francisco Giants' Brandon Crawford, left, in a rundown between second and third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb chases down a line drive hit by San Francisco Giants Andrew McCutchen for an out during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb tags out San Francisco Giants' Austin Slater (53) at third base as umpire Tripp Gibson (73) and Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) watch during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) is congratulated after scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco Giants' Andrew McCutchen, right, places his bat on the ground after striking out, while Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jeff Mathis, left, heads back to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) San Francisco Giants starter Andrew Suarez throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin throws to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 29, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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