Dellin Betances made history Wednesday night during a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old, right-hander recorded his 131st and 132nd strikeouts to break the New York Yankees single-season strikeout record by a reliever. The record was previously owned by future Hall of Fame closer, Mariano Rivera, since 1996.
Betances struck out Kevin Kiermaier and David DeJesus in the bottom of the eight inning to set the record.
ESPN's Andrew Marchand had Betances thoughts on his historic achievement.
"Just to be mentioned around his name, you are talking about the best closer, the best reliever in the game," said Betances, "Just to be in the same breath as him, you know I take thrill in that. As far as innings, he did it with one pitch so I think that is more amazing."
Betances, over the course of this season, has pitched to a 1.33 ERA and 13.50 K/9 across 88 innings. The 6-foot-8, reliever, with David Robertson set to hit costless agency this offseason, should be next in line to take over as the team's primary closer.