Categories: 2021 Highlights

Watch: Neris breaks Phillies’ reliever strikeout record in Game 162

In the final game of what was a disappointing 2021 Philadelphia Phillies season, Héctor Neris ended the year with at least a taste of positivity by etching his name into the Phillies’ history books. 

Héctor Neris is now the Phillies all-time leader in strikeouts among relievers. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire)

Néris broke the franchise record for career strikeouts by a reliever with 520. Fittingly, he did so on the pitch that has given him most of his success over his eight seasons with the team, his signature splitter. Jazz Chisholm was the victim of punchout No. 520, which was technically recorded before Andrew Knapp fired over to Brad Miller on the dropped third strike to record the out. 

It wasn’t the cleanest overall outing for Neris, whose five straight outs (including three strikeouts) didn’t come until after he surrendered a two-run homer to Nick Fortes. But given the magnitude (or lack thereof) of Game 162 for the eliminated Phillies, the long ball shouldn’t overshadow Neris’ historic accomplishment.

As the longest tenured Phillie, Neris has had his fair share of ups and downs in red pinstripes, but despite a few rough patches, he’s posted a solid career ERA of 3.42, and a 2.51 mark since July 6 of this season. Now, he adds a historic accomplishment to his résumé.

Neris will be a free agent this offseason, so it’s unclear how much the gap between him and the previous record-holder, Ron Reed, will grow — if at all. Manager Joe Girardi ran his pitch count up to 28, perhaps with that uncertainty in mind. If so, Neris gave Girardi what he wished for, and if fans were hoping for some good news on the last day of an anticlimactic weekend, Neris delivered.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. Phillies Nation Top 20 Prospects: September 2021
  2. Ryan Howard On Phillies Playoff Drought: ‘It’s Gotta Be A Bad Taste In Your Mouth’
  3. Why Ranger Suárez Is Bryce Harper’s Choice For NL Comeback Player Of The Year
  4. Andrew McCutchen Would Like To Remain With Phillies, But Knows It’s Out Of His Control
  5. Cy Young Or Not, Zack Wheeler Has Had One Of The Best Seasons In Phillies History
  6. Better Numbers, Not Team Success, Should Decide MVP Race Between Bryce Harper, Juan Soto
  7. Mike Schmidt: ‘Bryce Harper Is Today’s Pete Rose With Power’
  8. Report: Phillies Hope That Adam Haseley, Alec Bohm Will Play Winter Ball
  9. 500 Strikeouts Later, Héctor Neris Remains An Integral Part Of Phillies Bullpen
  10. Brett Myers Is Trying To Make A Comeback To Philadelphia — But Not To Play Baseball
  11. Phillies 2021 Walk-Up Songs
https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1131681859
Share
Nathan Ackerman

Nathan is a writer and podcaster for Phillies Nation. He's a graduate from the University of Southern California and is based in Los Angeles.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly