Single game: 20 (Clemens, and a few others?)
Single season: 13.4 (Randy Johnson, 2001)
Career: Randy Johnson, 10.6
For relief pitchers, it’s a bit higher. Not sure if it’s an absolute record, but both Brad Lidge and Billy Wagner have struck out 14.9 per 9 in a season.
So I have high standards. Sue me. 
Stop raining on my Broxton hate. My team is going to suck like a Hoover this year and the bright light at the end of the tunnel is likely the headlight of an on-coming train. I need someone visible to pin the blame on, and since I think Broxton is a washed-up pile of garbage anyway, he gets the nod. Mind you, I’ll spit on McCourt when I pass him on the street, but I don’t see him on the tube every day.
Last year Marmol struck out 16 per, which was the highest ever with a 50 inning minimum. I’m prepared to say that his stuff borders on the theoretical limit for avoiding contact, although Craig Kimbrel is at 16.2 for his (30 inning) career thus far.
Awww, I miss Jamey Carroll. He is so tiny, I always thought he may have been a leprechaun.
Carroll has been solidly consistent for the Dodgers since he joined us. Last night was…unfortunate. But I enjoy watching him play.
Clemens has done it twice (1986, 1996) and Kerry Woods once (1998) in a nine inning game.
Anyone see the end of the White Sox - Yankees game?
Brent Lillebridge saved the game for Chicago twice in the bottom of the 9th with two great catches in right field. Both were well-hit, especially Cano’s rocket, and he got to both of them to get the outs.
I just saw that highlight on Baseball Tonight. He came in as a defensive replacement. Those were both spectacular plays.
The M’s finally gave King Felix some offense. Justin Smoak hit a homer in his first game back off the bereavement list (his dad died.)
It’s getting to the end of April and there aren’t any teams that have completely shit the bed as there usually is. The worst record is the Astros 8-14.
The only weak division is the NL Central with a 64-72 record. All three of the AL divisions are within 2 games of .500.
The Rockies are best at 16-7 against a weak schedule, but 13 of their games have been on the road. The Marlins are 15-7, with 14 games at home.
I’m liking the Rockies with 16 wins despite a team batting average of .238. Last years batting champion, Carlos Gonzales, is hitting .214. May’s schedule is a lot more challenging, but with a lot more home games.
Giants @ Pirates today, the Giants pulled off a classic Little League play: runners at 1B and 3B, R1 takes off and forces the defense to make a play. Fortunately for the Giants, Pittsburgh has a LL defense. 
Catcher threw the ball into CF and R3 trots home (credited with a steal of home).
It’s so nice to have Sandoval out of his sophomore slump. 2 nights ago, he makes a beautiful backhand dive to come up with a shot down the 3B line, scrambles to his feet – spits!! – and throws a seed to 1B. (I think I’ve seen him blow a bubble-gum bubble in similar circumstances).
Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner is mired deeply in *his *sophomore slump. Posey seems ok.
Did Pablo have a slump, or was it just that he was carrying a second Pablo under that jersey?
There does seem to be an inverse correlation between weight and BA.
Prince Fielder heartily disagrees. 
Tigers got swept at home by Seattle. They were in a position to make a move and just blew up.
Justin Smoak has been smokin’ since he came back. He seems to have reinvigorated the M’s offense. Or was the Tigers pitching just bad? We’ll find out.
The Tigers did have to face King Felix, Michael Pineda, and Erik Bedard. I believe Pineda has had a quality start every time out. If he keeps this up, he’ll win AL ROY. Bedard looked like he was still playing in Baltimore. King Felix is the defending Cy Young.
Bedarad went up against Verlander. that was supposed to be a good matchup. The only ones hitting are Boesch and Cabrera. Austin jackson should be sent down to work his hitting out.
Toronto was playing like crap, they go into Texas and just kick the snot out of the defending champs, winning 3 of 4 and frankly Texas was lucky to win the one. Baseball’s a funny game.
Jose Bautista, oh my God. Leading the league in batting average, on base, and slugging.
And is Toronto getting free air miles to Las Vegas? Here is what they have done in the last three weeks:
APRIL 10: McCoy optioned to Vegas, Richmond recalled and then sent back down onthe same day
APRIL 12: Designated Purcey. Recalled Janssen, recalled Mills, recalled McCoy
APRIL 13: At some point here Davis goes on the DL
APRIL 13: Mills back to minors the day after he was recalled
APRIL 15: Recalled Perez
APRIL 17: McCoy optioned to Vegas
APRIL 18: Purcey traded to Oakland for Farquhar, Farquhar optioned
APRIL 19: Francisco activated, Litsch optioned
APRIL 20: Perez back to minors
APRIL 21: Cecil optioned, Woodward promoted from Vegas
APRIL 21: Morrow promoted from minors
APRIL 22: Davis to minors for rehab
APRIL 23: Nix to DL, McCoy back from Vegas; this is now McCoy’s third separate stint in the majors this year
APRIL 25: Litsch back from Vegas
APRIL 28: Woodward to Vegas, Snider to Vegas, Davis probably back, Cooper promoted
Ben Zobrist had quite a day today. The Rays played a double-header with the Twins, and Zobrist went 7/10 with 2 home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base.
He had 16 total bases on the day, and 8 RBI in the first game, a Rays record.
hey RickJay, that was a pretty nice little drag-bunt by Patterson to put Toronto on top in the 9th.
When St. Louis signed Lance Berkman, there were questions as to whether Berkman still had it in him or whether the Cardinals were making a mistake. The season is still young, but so far, it sure doesn’t look like a mistake. Latest piece of evidence: last night, Berkman hit two home runs (one from each side) against his old team.
I’m liking this Pujols-Holliday-Berkman lineup.