No Runs Allowed by Starters to Start the Season
Posted by Raphy on April 7, 2009
Jair Jurrjens of the Braves allowed no runs in 5.2 innings in his start today against the Phillies. He was the second Braves starter (Derek Lowe did it in the opener) to allow 0 runs in as many games this season. Since 1954 there were 13 previous teams to play the first 2 games of the season without their starters allowing a run:
STL 1963 2 Ind. Games SFG 1978 2 Ind. Games SFG 1994 2 Ind. Games NYY 2003 2 Ind. Games MON 1991 2 Ind. Games MIL 1976 2 Ind. Games LAD 1974 2 Ind. Games FLA 2006 2 Ind. Games CIN 1980 2 Ind. Games CAL 1977 2 Ind. Games CAL 1978 2 Ind. Games ATL 1994 2 Ind. Games ARI 2002 2 Ind. Games
Only eight of these teams wons both games.
Only 3 teams since 1954 have had there starters throw shutout ball for the first three games of the season.
STL 1963 3 Ind. Games MIL 1976 3 Ind. Games ATL 1994 3 Ind. Games
Only one of those teams was able to push it one more day:
MIL 1976 4 Ind. Games
Those 4 games included 2 shutouts by Jim Slaton who threw 2 shutouts in his first 2 starts and and allowed at least one run in each of his final 36. The Brewers bullpen was smoked by the Yankees in the second game of the season and so they went 3-1 in those 4 games. For the year, the team would finish with 12 games in which their starter didn't allow a run.