Diaz Sets Record with 50th Career Strikeout in Just 25.1 Innings

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Edwin Diaz has reached 50 career strikeouts faster than any major leaguer since at least 1893, needing just 25.1 innings to reach the mark, which he accomplished during Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).

Recently promoted to the closer's role, the 22-year-old Diaz picked up his first save Tuesday night, striking out three of the four batters he faced to finish out a come-from-behind victory after the Mariners rallied from a 4-0 deficit with a five-run eighth inning.

The Puerto Rican rookie right-hander has quickly established himself as one of baseball's most dominant relievers, now boasting a 1.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 52 strikeouts (and just eight walks) in 26 innings.

Diaz has struck out a whopping 46 percent of the batters he has faced, which ranks tops in MLB among all pitchers who have thrown 20 or more innings, though New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (44.3 percent) and Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (44.3) aren't too far behind—with both having already topped the 45-inning mark this season.

Just as encouraging as his robust season-long numbers, Diaz has now gone 10 straight appearances without allowing a run, striking out 20 of the 37 batters (54.1 percent) he's faced while allowing just seven hits and two walks over that span.