CHICAGO -- Ildemaro Vargas had his hitting streak snapped at 27 games when he went 0-for-4 in the D-backs' 2-0 loss to the Cubs on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Vargas had hit in all 24 previous games he played in this year and 27 total dating back to last year. It was the longest hitting streak by a Venezuelan-born player, eclipsing the previous mark of 26 set by Wilson Ramos of the Mets in 2019.
When asked what he would remember most about the streak, Vargas said it was the fact that he holds the record for a Venezuelan that would mean the most.
“First and foremost, [being] the Venezuelan with the longest hitting streak,” Vargas said through interpreter Alex Arpiza.
While the streak came to an end, it was still a nearly six-week stretch that Vargas will remember forever.
“I’m just very happy,” Vargas said. “I never thought that I would have a streak of this magnitude in the big leagues. I’ll try and start another one tomorrow.”
Vargas grounded out to third in the first inning, flew out to center in the fourth and grounded out to shortstop in both the seventh and ninth innings.
When it was over, manager Torey Lovullo, who has developed a strong relationship with Vargas over the years, hugged him and offered some words of encouragement.
“It was a great run for him, and I just told him how proud I was of him, and that he got the baseball world on the edge of their seats and let’s start a new one tomorrow,” Lovullo told him. “It's just was a great run for you and a great ride for all of us because of what you did.”
Vargas’ teammates seemed to enjoy the streak just as much as Vargas did and they relished the attention the 34-year-old got during it. When he appeared on MLB Network before Friday’s game with the Cubs, the clubhouse came to a stop and his teammates gathered around the TV to watch him.
“I think [it] was awesome to see the [streak] in person,” pitcher Ryne Nelson said. “I’ve never seen anything like that. But just a guy like him, what he brings to this clubhouse, he’s always happy, he’s always smiling, he’s always having a good time and to see the way he plays, I think it was really fun and I was happy for him. I think I overheard him say he’s going to start a new one tomorrow so I’m excited to see how long that one goes.”
The 24-game streak was the second-longest streak to open a season since 1940. The Tigers’ Ron LeFlore is the leader thanks to his 30-game streak to open the 1976 season.
The 27-game streak dating back to last season was the longest active streak in MLB, and it was the longest since Trea Turner also hit in 27 straight from Sept. 12, 2021, through April 16, 2022. For hitting streaks of more than 27 games, this was the longest since Whit Merrifield's 31-game streak from Sept. 10, 2018, through April 10, 2019.
Among Diamondbacks single-season hit streaks, the 24 games ties for second with Tony Womack (24 in 2000) behind Luis Gonzalez (30 in 1999).
Including hit streaks that span multiple seasons, Vargas’ 27-game streak stands second behind Gonzalez.
Vargas is on his third stint with the Diamondbacks. He has played parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues, but he has never had the kind of success he's having now.
There is still one thing he needs to work on – clearing out his Instagram messages.
“My Instagram messages have exploded,” he said. “But it’s a beautiful thing, a beautiful feeling.”