During Friday night’s Twin’s/A’s matchup, Minnesota pitcher Francisco Liriano struck out 15 batters. Liriano’s career high in Ks had been 12, and the Twins staff had been last in the Majors in strikeouts in 2012 to that point (by over 50 Ks). So this was a big deal.
But it was also a quirky deal, as Liriano also allowed a grand slam homerun amidst punching out those 15 batters. In doing so, he became the FIRST pitcher to strike out 15 and allow a grand slam in the SAME game.
Here are the games in which a starting pitcher K’ed at least 15 while allowing at least one homer (of any kind) and four runs (to allow for possibility of a grand slam):
| Player | Date | Opp | Rslt | IP | R | SO | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francisco Liriano | 2012-07-13 | OAK | L 3-6 | 8.0 | 4 | 15 | 1 |
| Randy Johnson | 2001-09-27 | MIL | W 13-11 | 6.2 | 5 | 16 | 1 |
| Randy Johnson | 2001-08-23 | PIT | L 1-5 | 7.0 | 4 | 16 | 1 |
| Randy Johnson | 1997-07-18 | KCR | W 5-4 | 9.0 | 4 | 16 | 1 |
| Randy Johnson | 1997-06-24 | OAK | L 1-4 | 9.0 | 4 | 19 | 2 |
| Steve Carlton | 1981-09-16 (2) | NYM | L 4-5 | 8.0 | 5 | 15 | 1 |
| Nolan Ryan | 1978-04-24 | SEA | L 5-6 | 9.0 | 4 | 15 | 1 |
| Nolan Ryan | 1976-08-18 | DET | W 5-4 | 10.0 | 4 | 17 | 1 |
| Nolan Ryan | 1974-04-30 | BOS | W 16-6 | 9.0 | 6 | 15 | 2 |
| Steve Carlton | 1969-09-15 | NYM | L 3-4 | 9.0 | 4 | 19 | 2 |
| Bob Gibson | 1968-08-24 | PIT | L 4-6 | 9.0 | 6 | 15 | 1 |
| Pedro Ramos | 1963-07-31 (2) | LAA | W 9-5 | 8.1 | 5 | 15 | 2 |
| Sandy Koufax | 1960-05-28 | CHC | L 3-4 | 13.0 | 4 | 15 | 1 |
| Sandy Koufax | 1960-05-06 | PHI | L 1-6 | 9.2 | 5 | 15 | 2 |
| Dick Drott | 1957-05-26 (1) | MLN | W 7-5 | 9.0 | 5 | 15 | 2 |
| Paul Foytack | 1956-07-28 | WSH | L 5-6 | 9.0 | 6 | 15 | 2 |
(Hat-tip to Brian C. for the heads-up on this.)
