Padres News: Blake Snell Joins Elite Company After Another Dominate Start

Snellzilla has been a problem as of late

The San Diego Padres are crawling their way back to .500 and they seem to be getting in their groove. The offense is doing their thing thanks to the star players showing up and showing out. The pitching is also doing their thing both the bullpen and the starters inclduing lefty ace Blake Snell. 

Similar to the team, Snell had a poor start to the season, looking like a shell of himself up until mid-May. It was frustrating to watch the team espeically when Snell would be on the hill, but those early season woes seem to be behind Snell. 

Snellzilla has only allowed 14 hits in his last 30 innings, including only two hits and zero runs in his latest start on Saturday. The offense inly scored two runs, but it was enough for the red-hot lefty. On top of his excellent pitching perfromance and the win, the 30-year-old joined elite company when he struckout all nine starters for thr second straight game. 

Blake Snell struck out all 9 starters for the 2nd straight start, becoming the 4th pitcher to do so since 1961. The others:

- Jacob deGrom (2021)
- Pedro Martinez (1999 & 2000)
- Randy Johnson (1992 & 1999) pic.twitter.com/d42Y89xVgc

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 18, 2023

In his last two starts, Snell has 24 strikeouts in 13 innings while only allowing five hits and one earned run. The lefty ace has been a scary sight on the mound, and it's been fun to watch for his teammates and the fans. 

Anytime you're mentioned in the same breath as Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez, you know you're in some exclusive company. Snell has earned that right with his excellent pitchign, and it's been a pleasure to watch. 

His overall numbers aren't pretty, but he's starting to pick up the pace as he earned his second win of three in his last three starts. After not picking up a win since May 1st before his first start in June, Snell is looking like the ace we all expected him to be. 

We can't wait to see what else he has in store for us, maybe an All-Star apperance?