New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom makes MLB history with his arm and his bat

Jacob deGrom refused to let the first-place Atlanta Braves get the better of him Friday night. In fact, the pitching star single-handedly kept the Mets in the hotly contested NL East battle in New York with both his arm and his bat — and made history in the process.

The Mets ace struck out 13 batters and hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1. It marked the second time this season deGrom has homered in a game in which he also fanned at least 13 batters.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since 1893 when the current pitching mound distance was established, no other pitcher has accomplished that feat more than once over an entire career, let alone twice in the same season. 

In an April 3 game against the Miami Marlins, deGrom homered while striking out 14 batters.

The 2018 Cy Young award winner also eclipsed 200 strikeouts for the third consecutive season, and the fourth time in five years. He struck out eight consecutive batters at one point during Friday's contest but departed the game after giving up one run on four hits through seven innings, earning a no-decision for his efforts in a game the Mets eventually lost 2-1 in 14 innings.

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