Hershiser's History?

Brandon Webb did it again last night, tossing his third straight shutout and running his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 42. As you probably know, the record is 59, set back in 1988 by Dodger righty Orel Hershiser, meaning with two more shutouts, Webb would set a new record of 60.

He is the first pitcher since Hershiser to have a consecutive scoreless innings streak of more than 40, and just the 21st in history to have one that long (that's what she said).

Based on the D-Backs' schedule, he's supposed to throw Wednesday, at home, against the Milwaukee Brewers, who could be without Prince Fielder if the league upholds his 3-game suspension. Fielder's status for that game has the potential to be huge in the scope of this streak because obviously Webb would prefer not to have to face the NL's homerun leader 3 or 4 times if he doesn't have to.

If he manages to keep his streak alive after that appearance (he doesn't have to throw a shutout either, he just can't give up any runs), his next start would be Monday the 27th at light-hitting San Diego, and then if necessary he'd pitch again September 1st, at home, against the Colorado Rockies.

Odds are, somebody will break his streak before he gets to Orel, but then again, the odds of him getting to 40 weren't great either, so who knows.

And speaking of streaks, Bobby Jenks still hasn't allowed a baserunner, partially because he hasn't pitched since last Sunday. As it stands right now, he has tied the major league record for consecutive hitters retired, at 41. The White Sox have lost 6 in a row and have two more games left this weekend, at Seattle. So the question is, what's more likely to happen, the White Sox winning a game or somebody reaching base against Jenks?