Black Jack Flaherty & Jordan Hicks Combine To End Marcus Semien’s Hitting Streak At 25 Games

Black Jack Flaherty & Jordan Hicks Combine To End Marcus Semien’s Hitting Streak At 25 Games

by | Jun 8, 2023 | THE LEAD OFF

Black Jack” Flaherty dealt a mean hand in his start Wednesday night against Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers, ending the second baseman’s league-high hitting streak at 25 games, three short of Gabe Kapler’s club record. 

 

Flaherty began the game by striking out one of the hottest hitters on the planet: Semien, who took his first  0-4 in almost a month. 

After that he struggled with his command in the inning, walking the next three batters before pitching his way out of a bases loaded jam thanks to a diving stop in the infield.

 

 

It was then smooth sailing for Flaherty through the next five innings before he ran into his final hurdle in the 6th.

After getting the first two batters out, the next two would reach, placing runners on second and third after a double.

Flaherty reached back and on his 105th pitch he struck out Josh Smith, stranding both runners and keeping the score tied at 0-0.

 

Black Jack Flaherty Was Dominant 

That closed the door on his day as he finished six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, allowing just three hits with five walks.

Flame thrower Jordan Hicks, who’s 105 MPH fastball in 2018 is the second fastest pitch recorded in Major League history, entered the game in the bottom of the 7th in relief of Flaherty and ended up getting the win.

He got Marcus Semien to ground out, forced a fly ball out and then struck out Nathaniel Lowe with the go-ahead run standing on second base to cap off his day.

Flaherty has now given up one or less runs in four of his last five starts and has an ERA of 1.80 over that span.

He lowered his season ERA to 4.15 to go along with 72 strikeouts.

His next start will be next Tuesday against LaMonte Wade Jr. and the San Francisco Giants.