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Astros' Cole becomes 1st AL righty to reach 300 Ks since Pedro

Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole became the first pitcher of the 2019 season to reach the 300-strikeout plateau, notching the milestone punch out against Shin-Soo Choo of the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening.

It's the first time the 29-year-old has recorded 300 strikeouts in a single season in his career.

Cole became just the fourth pitcher to reach the historic milestone since both Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling eclipsed the mark in 2002.

He's also the first American League right-hander to achieve the feat since Pedro Martinez in 1999 as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

Cole required 198 1/3 innings to record his 300th strikeout, making him the second-fastest pitcher in history to do so. Johnson needed just 197 2/3 frames, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Teammate Justin Verlander has a shot to join Cole in the 300-K club, currently sitting second in MLB with 283.

Since 1989, only eight pitchers have recorded a 300-strikeout campaign:

Pitcher Year Ks
Gerrit Cole 2019 302
Max Scherzer 2018 300
Chris Sale 2017 308
Clayton Kershaw 2015 301
Randy Johnson* 2002 334
Curt Schilling 2002 316
Randy Johnson* 2001 372
Randy Johnson* 2000 347
Randy Johnson* 1999 364
Pedro Martinez* 1999 313
Randy Johnson 1998 329
Curt Schilling 1998 300
Curt Schilling 1997 317
Pedro Martinez* 1997 305
Randy Johnson 1993 308
Nolan Ryan 1989 301

* - denotes Cy Young winner in same season

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