Spencer Strider Strikes Out 16, a Braves Nine-Inning Record

Atlanta Braves rookie Spencer Strider has struck out 16 Colorado Rockies in eight shutout innings, the most by any Braves pitcher in a nine-inning game.

Strider gave up two hits and no walks in a 3-0 win at Truist Park on Thursday, September 1, needing 106 pitches and throwing nothing but fastballs and sliders. That broke John Smoltz's Atlanta record of 15. According to MLB.com, citing Elias, it is the most by any Braves pitcher in a nine-inning game since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893.

It is also the most strikeouts in a big-league game since Walker Buehler struck out 16 in 2019, and the most by a rookie since Jon Gray in 2016. Strider was making only his 17th career start.

The 23-year-old had no idea he was making history:

I lost track after five. I came out of the game and Kyle [Wright] was telling me something about John Smoltz or whatever, and I had no idea what he was talking about. It didn't make any sense.

Strider is one of baseball's best-known plant-based players. He changed his diet in 2019, while recovering from Tommy John surgery, after struggling with high blood pressure and poor sleep. He told the story to Great Vegan Athletes: "I decided one day to try it and, within two weeks, I was off the hypertension medicine." He eats plant-based almost all the time, though he has admitted to eating "salmon, sometimes".

Plant-based athletes keep breaking records in North American leagues. Zdeno Chara broke the NHL record for games by a defenseman earlier this year, JaVale McGee won a third NBA title with the Lakers, and Chris Paul went plant-based after working on The Game Changers.

Sixteen strikeouts, powered by plants.