One streak done, reliever Chris Perez eager for the next one

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Perez knew it couldn't last, but it was a great ride.

Until the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, Perez had the longest active scoreless inning streak of any pitcher in the big leagues at 22 2/3 innings. Marlon Byrd deactivated it with a three-run homer in the seventh inning as Texas broke a 5-5 tie on the way to an 11-9 victory.

"It's too bad the streak ended in a loss," said Perez. "I was happy to have it as long as I did, but I didn't think it would last forever. Unfortunately, it came at a big part of the game and set the tone for the series."

Texas completed a three-game sweep Wednesday with a 10-0 victory.

"I want to close out the season on a strong note," said Perez. "I'm glad it ended early instead of later in the month so I don't have to think about it all off-season."

Perez has a 3.04 ERA and one save in 24 appearances since being acquired from St. Louis for Mark DeRosa. He has 29 strikeouts, seven walks and the opposition is hitting .193 against him in 23 2/3 innings.

"I'll probably have five or six more appearances left," said Perez. "I'm looking forward to a new streak."

He's already got a start with two-thirds of scoreless inning after Byrd's homer.



(cleveland.com)