Uehara's 'perfect' feat team record

NEW YORK -- How rare is it that Red Sox closer Koji Uehara has retired 27 consecutive batters dating back to Aug. 17?

The right-hander is the first reliever in team history to pull off the feat, topping lefty Tom Burgmeier's previous record in 1980.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen retired 27 straight batters from July 23-Aug. 8 this season.

The last reliever to retire more than 27 batters in a row was the Giants' Sergio Romo, who got 31 consecutive hitters out from July 4-Aug. 6, 2011.

Uehara has gone 27 innings without allowing a run, his longest streak in either the Majors or Japan.