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Jacob DeGrom Makes Marlins Look Silly, Strengthens Rookie Of The Year Case

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — He might not have gotten the win, but he certainly strengthened his case for National League Rookie of the Year.

Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom (8-6) tied a major league record on Monday night by striking out his first eight batters.

The rookie whiffed eight consecutive Miami Marlins to begin the game at Citi Field, matching the mark set by Jim Deshaies of the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 23, 1986.

Deshaies and deGrom are the only pitchers to accomplish the feat since 1900.

"That felt good," deGrom said. "I had a good fastball early on. My two-seamer was moving a lot."

A top contender for NL Rookie of the Year, deGrom tied the record by freezing Jeff Mathis with a 95 mph fastball for a called third strike. The shaggy-haired righty then gave up a sharp single to opposing pitcher Jarred Cosart on a 1-0 pitch.

KALLET: JACOB DEGROM SHOULD BE YOUR 2014 NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR 

"The way he started out was pretty incredible," Cosart said, according to Mets.com. "His numbers speak for themselves. He's got a chance to win Rookie of the Year."

As deGrom quickly piled up Ks, the small crowd began clapping whenever he got two strikes on a hitter. He received a warm ovation following Cosart's base hit.

The previous Mets record for strikeouts to start a game was six by Pete Falcone against Philadelphia on May 1, 1980.

STATS says Mickey Welch of the New York Gothams struck out the first nine Cleveland Blues batters on Aug. 28, 1884 — when the mound was only 50 feet from home plate.

"That's about as dominating a start of a game as I've probably ever seen, and I've seen some pretty good pitching," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "The location was just outstanding. You look at some of those called strikes and they were right -- I mean, right -- on the corners. Unbelievable. He threw any pitch he wanted to, whenever he wanted to."

The 26-year-old ended up surrendering three earned runs on six hits in seven innings of work. He finished with 13 strikeouts and one walk, with 68 of his 98 pitches being thrown for strikes.

In line for his ninth win with the Amazin's up 5-3 in the eighth inning, reliever Jeurys Familia allowed three earned runs in the eighth and deGrom got the no-decision. New York lost, 6-5.

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