ARLINGTON, Texas -- Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney tied an American League record by striking out nine consecutive batters in Monday night's 11-2 win against the Kansas City Royals.
Heaney matched a record shared by Detroit Tigers reliever Tyler Alexander against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2, 2020, and Detroit reliever Doug Fister against Kansas City on Sept. 27, 2012.
The major league record for consecutive strikeouts is 10, set by the New York Mets' Tom Seaver on April 22, 1970, and matched by the Philadelphia Phillies' Aaron Nola on June 25, 2021, and the Milwaukee Brewers' Corbin Burnes on Aug. 11, 2021.
"I felt like I owed it to the guys, owed it to the fans, to myself to be better than what I was," Heaney said, referencing his rocky outing in his Rangers debut last week.
Heaney recorded his first out by fanning Edward Olivares with one runner on in the first. After the Royals scored an unearned run, Heaney whiffed Matt Duffy to begin the streak, then struck out Nicky Lopez to end the inning.
"It all just kind of like started just going. It sort of evolved," Heaney said.
In the second, Heaney set down Hunter Dozier and Nate Eaton swinging and Jackie Bradley Jr. looking for five straight. In the third, Bobby Witt Jr., Edward Olivares and Vinnie Pasquantino all struck out swinging.
Heaney's ninth straight came against Salvador Perez, who went down swinging to lead off the fourth. Duffy then became the first Royals batter to record an out on a ball in play -- a flyball to right.
"He's got an interesting delivery," first-year Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. "Low slot, carry guy, so the ball had that rising appearance to it, and it's tough to lay off. He did a good job, to his credit, pitching at the top of the zone or just above."
Heaney departed after five innings, 93 pitches and 10 K's. He allowed two hits, two walks and one unearned run.
Heaney broke Nolan Ryan's club record for consecutive strikeouts in a game with seven. Ryan fanned seven straight against the California Angels on July 7, 1991.
Heaney (1-1), who signed with Texas as a free agent in December, recorded only eight outs and allowed seven runs in a 7-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in his debut last Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.