Orel Hershiser extends streak to 40 innings

Orel Hershiser shutout the Astros on Sept. 19, 1988, winning his second consecutive 1-0 decision which ran his season win total to 22. John Shelby provided all the offense with a home run as Hershiser scattered four singles with no walks and five strikeouts.

Hershiser's fourth straight shutout ran his scoreless streak to 40 consecutive innings, the second longest in L.A. Dodger history only trailing Don Drysdale's major league record 58 consecutive scoreless innings set in 1968.

Hershiser continued to say that the 58-inning streak was unbreakable, Hershiser told Sam McManis of the Los Angeles Times he doubted that record could be broken:

"I doubt it can be done," he said. "I really do. I've always said that that might be the one record that would never be broken. I'm not just trying to jinx myself or anything. But it's true."

The game featured a matchup between Hershiser and Nolan Ryan. However after two innings, Ryan left with an injury. This would be Nolan Ryan's last start with the Astros, he would leave Houston after the season to join the Texas Rangers, where he would pitch four more seasons in his Hall of Fame career.

After Ryan left, the pitching duel continued with Danny Darwin. Darwin and Hershiser would match zeros for the next four innings until Shelby led off the top of the seventh with his eighth home run of the season. Hershiser never looked back, he had gotten the last four batters out prior to the home run and he continued to retire nine more in a row after, giving him 13 straight Astros retired to end the game.

So far during the streak, Hershiser has lowered his ERA on the season from 2.90 to 2.43.