OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jack Cust struck out for the 186th and 187th time this season Friday night to break the American League record.
Cust struck out on a checked swing against Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez leading off the second inning and he fanned again with one out and a runner on second in the fourth.Rob Deer of Milwaukee previously held the AL record when he struck out 186 times in 1987.
Philadelphia's Ryan Howard set the major league last season with 199 strikeouts.
Cust went into the game with a league-leading 101 walks. Since 1986 only two players - Jim Thome of Cleveland in 1999 and Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees in 2003 - have led their respective leagues in strikeouts and walks.
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