As Erik Bedard’s strikeout total kept rising, Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Jay Gibbons could only shake his head in disbelief as he watched from the dugout Saturday night.
“That’s as good as I’ve ever seen a pitcher throw,” Gibbons said. “I’ve never seen so many bad swings in my life. These guys didn’t have a chance.”
Bedard struck out 15 to tie a franchise record and allowed two hits in his first career complete game, leading the Orioles over the Texas Rangers 3-0.
Bedard (7-4) faced the minimum 27 hitters. Desi Relaford singled with one out in the first and Sammy Sosa singled leading off the eighth, but Bedard induced double-play grounders to erase each runner.
The 15 strikeouts were the most by an American League pitcher this season. San Diego’s Jake Peavy struck out 16 against Arizona on April 25.
