Johan Santana

Johan Alexander Santana (born March 13, 1979) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Minnesota Twins.

2004 season

In 2004 Santana enjoyed one of the great second halves of modern times. His streak of dominance has been compared to Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan. He became the first pitcher since 1961 to give up four or fewer hits in ten straight starts, and his 13-0 record broke the old Major League second-half mark shared between Burt Hooton and Rick Sutcliffe.

Related Topics:
2004 - Sandy Koufax - Nolan Ryan - 1961 - Hits - Burt Hooton - Rick Sutcliffe

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It is interesting to compare that Santana's other second-half numbers, 11.13 strikeouts per nine innings, 1.21 ERA, 4.74 hits per nine innings, and 6.73 baserunners per nine innings, are mostly better than Bob Gibson's famous 1968 numbers (7.91 SO per 9 IP, 1.12 ERA, 5.84 hits per 9 IP, 7.77 baserunners per 9 IP). Beside this, Santana set a team season record with 265 strikeouts, surpassing the old 258 mark registered by Bert Blyleven in 1973.

Related Topics:
Strikeouts per nine innings - ERA - Hits per nine innings - Baserunners per nine innings - Bob Gibson - 1968 - Bert Blyleven

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Santana finished in good form with a 20-6 record, and lead the American League pitchers in strikeouts (265), ERA (2.61), strikeouts per 9 IP (10.46), WHIP (0.92), batting average allowed (.192), OBP (.249), SLG (.315) and OPS (.564), walking only 54 in 228 innings. Opponents stole only six bases in seven attempts against him, and his 20 victories ranked him second behind only Curt Schilling, who won 21 games for the Red Sox. He easily won the AL Cy Young Award over Schilling with all 28 first-place votes.

Related Topics:
American League - WHIP - Batting average allowed - OBP - SLG - OPS - Walking - Stole - Curt Schilling - Red Sox - AL Cy Young Award

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