Zack Greinke going streaking vs. Phillies

LOS ANGELES -- Zack Greinke looks to close out the Phillies series with a win for the Dodgers, and possibly extend his scoreless streak along the way.

Greinke has a streak of 27⅔ consecutive scoreless innings heading into Wednesday, having not allowed a run in any of his previous four starts.

The Dodgers own the top two scoreless streaks of all-time, with Orel Hershiser's 59-inning streak in 1988 and Don Drysdale's 58-inning streak in 1968. The beauty of those streaks is in their longevity; Greinke hasn't allowed a run in four starts and yet he's not even halfway to either streak.

Greinke on Wednesday could pass some quality streaks and get into the upper echelon of Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless streaks.

In play for Greinke to pass on Wednesday night are:

• Don Sutton (1972) 29 innings
• Bob Miller (1964) 31
• Fernando Valenzuela (1980-81) 31
• Sandy Koufax (1963) 33
• Orel Hershiser (1984) 33
• Don Sutton (1972) 35
• Fernando Valenzuela (1981) 35

The two Valenzuela streaks were during Fernandomania, but started with his final 15 innings in September 1980, in relief. He shutout the Astros on opening day in 1981, then didn't allow a run until the eighth inning of his second start, on April 14. But after that 31-inning streak ended, Valenzuela started another streak with a scoreless ninth inning that day. He followed with three more shutouts, then another seven scoreless innings on May 3, his sixth major league start.

To sum up, Valenzuela began his career with two unearned runs in relief in his major league debut, then pitched 66 of his next 67 innings scoreless.

After the 35-inning streak ended, Valenzuela completed the win then threw another shutout in his next start. Valenzuela's career ERA to that point, after a September cup of coffee and his first seven big league starts was a paltry 0.22 - two earned runs in 80⅔ innings.

Two earned runs in his first 80⅔ innings!

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA