Craig Kimbrel's Historic "Game" Against Tampa Bay

Craig Kimbrel posted a historic pitching line against the Tampa Bay Rays this year.

9 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 23 strikeouts

Here are the nine innings of Kimbrel's "game":

1st inning - April 15        K    Kc   5-3        (13 pitches)
2nd inning - April 16        P2   K    K          (10 pitches)
3rd inning - April 17        K    Kc   Kc         (15 pitches)
4th inning - May 13          63   K    K          (16 pitches)
5th inning - July 7          K    K    K          (11 pitches)
6th inning - August 8        K    K    K          (15 pitches)
7th inning - September 10    K    K23  K          (15 pitches)
8th inning - September 15    BB   K    K    K     (16 pitches)
9th inning - September 16    K    K    63         (12 pitches)

[Notes: Kc = Called strike 3. The Rays saw 123 pitches and hit 3 fair balls (none of which left the infield). The batter who walked stole second after the first strikeout.]

No pitcher in baseball history has ever posted a K/9 rate higher than 20 against any opponent in any season (9 IP minimum). Until now.

Kimbrel's nine innings against the Rays are the most innings he has pitched against any team this season. He pitched eight innings against the Yankees (and racked up 18 strikeouts) and seven innings (so far) against the Blue Jays.