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Perez makes D-backs history

Reliever becomes the club's first pitcher to strike out four in one inning

DENVER -- D-backs reliever Oliver Perez made history on Saturday afternoon, as he tied a Major League record by striking out four Rockies hitters in the seventh inning of Arizona's 5-1 loss.

Perez became the first player in franchise history to accomplish the feat, and it was the 44th time it had happened since 1998 -- with 43 of those coming in the regular season and one during the postseason.

Perez opened the seventh by getting Justin Morneau to strike out swinging. But the ball got by catcher Miguel Montero, allowing Morneau to reach first on the wild pitch.

Morneau would advance to second on a balk. But he was stranded there, as Perez struck out Corey Dickerson, Michael McKenry and Matt McBride swinging to end the inning.

"It was just one of those days that happens," Perez said. "More importantly, we didn't win."

That it had not happened in the history of the D-backs, who started play in 1998, was surprising. The fact that it even happened caught Perez off guard.

"I didn't even know I stuck out four guys when I finished the inning," Perez said. "So I'm kind of surprised."

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Inside the D-backs, and follow him on Twitter @dbackswriter.
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