ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Ray becomes second-fastest lefty to reach 800 strikeouts in MLB history

May 13, 2019, 8:55 PM | Updated: 11:13 pm

That was fast.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray reached a milestone Monday night, recording his 800th strikeout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With his strikeout of Nick Kingham in the fourth inning, Ray became the second-fastest southpaw to 800 strikeouts in terms of games (125), overtaking Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (128).

Ray also became the third-fastest pitcher to reach the feat in terms of innings pitched (664.0).

“Anytime you hit those milestones, those big numbers, it means you’re doing a lot right,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the game. “He’s done that a long time, that’s what it tells me, and he’s done it at a very high level for a long time and I’ve gotten the chance to sit in the dugout for several, at least 300 [strikeouts], I don’t know, but he’s going to go ahead and get a lot more. Huge congrats to him for that milestone.”

Only Frank Tanana did it in fewer games, only needing 120. Aroldis Chapman and Billy Wagner are the only pitchers ahead of Ray in innings pitched with 480.2 and 597.2, respectively.

“It’s a big accomplishment, but just glad I was able to go out there and get some quality innings and get the win tonight,” Ray said after the game. “Just to be mentioned in the same sentence as those guys is humbling.”

Entering play Monday, Ray had gone 2-1 with a 3.30 ERA in eight starts (43.2 IP) this season.

He added another win to his season total Monday night as the D-backs beat the Pirates 9-3.

Ray allowed just six hits and an earned run in five innings (94 pitches) of work. He ended the night with six strikeouts and and just two walks.

“We gave up two runs in the first and after that things go tightened up and Robbie did a great job of allowing us to play catch up,”Lovullo said following the win. “And then preserving the lead … I thought Robbie did an outstanding job.”

The pitcher received some added help from the offense as the unit combined for 13 hits and eight RBI. It’s the first time in the last eight outings the team put up at least five runs.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Starling Marte (6) is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila, right,  while trying to score a run during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Nick Kingham throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker, left, waits for a late throw as Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson, right, steals second base during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Nick Kingham, left, talks with catcher Francisco Cervelli, right, and shortstop Cole Tucker, center, during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Jarrod Dyson (1) celebrates with teammate Adam Jones (10) after scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray sits in the dugout after giving up two runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage, left, talks with starting pitcher Nick Kingham, right, after Kingham gave up five runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first two innings of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Melky Cabrera tries to chase down a two-run triple hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta connects for a run-scoring double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) celebrates a run scored against the Pittsburgh Pirates by Eduardo Escobar (5) during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar, right, crosses home plate after hitting a home run as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, left, pauses during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eduardo Escobar celebrates his home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Pittsburgh Pirates' Adam Frazier, left, scores a run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Alex Avila, right, waits for a late throw during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, May 13, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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