Yankees' 18-Inning Win Over Cubs Produces A Remarkable Record

Although the New York Yankees’ 5-4 victory over the host Chicago Cubs was unusual for its 18-inning length, the interleague game that wrapped up early Monday yielded a remarkable record of another sort.

The teams combined for a major league record of 48 strikeouts, The Associated Press reported.

That’s a lot of Ks, even for 6 hours and 5 minutes of playing.

The previous record was 43, established in a 20-inning marathon between the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics in 1971, according to ESPN.

“It’s just a crazy game,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees set team records for pitching 26 strikeouts and striking out 22 times when they were at bat, obliterating previous highs of 19 and 17, the AP noted. Leading the way were Aaron Hicks and Chase Headley, who each had four whiffs. Five Cubs struck out three times each, ESPN reported.

Hicks scored on Starlin Castro’s ground ball to give the visitors a lead in the 18th, and New York pitcher Chasen Shreve helped the Yankees hang on for the victory over the defending champions in the bottom of the inning.