Sabathia Becomes 11th Pitcher with 2,500 Strikeouts at Age 34

When New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia struck out Los Angeles Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella in the fifth inning of Sunday's game, the big lefty became just the 11th player in major league history to reach 2,500 career strikeouts before the end of his age-34 season, per MLB Stat of the Day.

Sabathia, who will turn 35 on July 21, finished the game with seven strikeouts over six innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and a walk to pick up his third win of the season.

He now has 2,501 strikeouts in his career, putting him 67 ahead of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett (2,434) for first place on the list among active players.

Among players both active and retired, Sabathia is one of 31 pitchers with 2,500 or more career strikeouts.

While his milestone and Sunday's performance were both impressive, Sabathia has struggled for the most part this season, owning a 3-7 record, 5.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 72 innings, despite having a strong 64-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

As was the case in 2013 and 2014, home runs have been the veteran lefty's biggest problem, with opponents already hitting 12 off of him this season.

There are some signs—namely the strikeout and walk totals—that Sabathia can turn his career around and eventually become the 17th member of the 3,000-strikeout club, but even his most ardent supporters would likely concede that his time as a bona fide ace is done.