Mike Soroka’s historic start helps Braves take NLDS lead

By Kevin Keneely

October 07, 2019 at 1:40 am EDT

Photos: Braves prepare for 3 of the NLDS at St. Louis October 6, 2019 St. Louis, MO - Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) allowed one hit, one run and four strikeouts in the first 3 innings of play, during Game 3 of best-of-five National League Division Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Sunday, October 6, 2019. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com) (HYOSUB SHIN / AJC)

By Kevin Keneely

October 07, 2019 at 1:40 am EDT

Mike Soroka became the second-youngest player in MLB history to go seven+ innings, while allowing two or fewer hits, in a postseason game. He joins Waite Hoyt, who pitched nine shutout innings for the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1921 World Series.

At 22 years, 63 days, @Mike_Soroka28 is the 2nd youngest pitcher to go 7+ IP in a #postseason game with 2 or fewer hits allowed (Waite Hoyt, 1921 World Series Game 2). pic.twitter.com/5LlPOom9J4
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 6, 2019

Soroka went seven innings for the Braves, tying Kirk McCaskill, for the longest postseason start in MLB history for a Canadian. Throughout this seven innings, Soroka struck out seven batters, which is just one fewer than the MLB record, for most strikeouts ever thrown by a Canadian pitcher, in postseason history.

Seven strikeouts for @Mike_Soroka28 . Only Jeff Francis and @James_Paxton had more in a single post season game.
— CDN Baseball HOF (@CDNBaseballHOF) October 6, 2019