Félix Hernández Becomes the Youngest Venezuelan to Reach 1,000 Strikeouts

At only 24 years of age, Seattle Mariners’ Félix Hernández joined a number of record-holding Venezuelan pitchers in the MLB by reaching 1,000 strikeouts during a game against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, August 25, reported the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.

“The King,” as he’s known, reached the milestone in the second game of the day between the Mariners and the Red Sox. According to the newspaper, Hernández became the sixth Venezuelan pitcher to reach over 1,000 strikeouts in the Major Leagues and the third youngest pitcher since 1952 to reach 1,000 strikeouts. With this record he joins the Venezuelans players Johan Santana, Carlos Zambrano, Freddy García, Wilson Álvarez and Kelvim Escobar.

Hernández beat Carlos Zambrano, who reached 1,000 strikeouts in 2007 when he was 26 years old. According to the newspaper, Hernández became the second Latin American to reach 1,000 strikeouts before turning 25.

The Venezuelan pitcher currently has a 10-10 record, and leads both leagues in strikeouts with 192 on the season, reported El Universal.

In the same game, fellow Venezuelan José Celestino Lópe contributed to Hernández’s victory by scoring two of the four runs for Seattle.

Photo by: Mlb.com

Press Office – Venezuelan Embassy to the U.S./August 26, 2010