Velasquez Strikes Out 16 In Historic Phillies Performance

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Phillies rookie pitcher Vincent Velasquez was historically dominant on Thursday afternoon, striking out 16 and scattering three hits over a complete game shutout.

No other pitcher in Phillies history has begun their career with the team with as many strikeouts - 25 - in their first two games. Velasquez shut down the Mets in his first start last week. He did not allow a run in that start, either.

Velasquez was just one strikeout away from tying the club's all-time record for strikeouts in a single nine inning game. In 1961, Art Mahaffey struck out 17.

The legendary Steve Carlton's greatest performance was also 16 strikeouts, in 1982.

The Phillies offense wasn't on fire, but it was enough. Ryan Howard contributed a home run and two RBI's as they defeated the San Diego Padres, 3-0. The victory sealed their series win, as they took three out of four from the Padres, improving their overall record to 5-5.

Velasquez came to the Phillies in the December Ken Giles trade with the Houston Astros. He was ranked as one of the 100 best prospects in baseball by MLB.com heading into the 2015 season.

At no point in the game did the Padres seriously threaten Velasquez. He struck out nine of the game's final twelve batters. 

The Phillies will host the Nationals next on Friday at 7:05 p.m.

Image courtesy Apollo1758 via Commons.