Scott Johnson writes noting that Bobby Jenks streak of retiring batters is longer than reported:

Photo: Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI

David, Help! Here's what reporters are saying about Bobby Jenks' streak: (whitesox.com) A silent streak: Three reporters tried to ask Bobby Jenks about his amazing streak of 35 straight hitters retired and 36 straight outs recorded on Thursday. But the White Sox closer maintained his silence concerning this historic run.

According to the Society for American Baseball Research, Jenks has the sixth-longest streak in Major League history. He trails David Wells' run of 38 for the American League mark and Jim Barr's total of 41 as the big-league record. The only admission made by Jenks in regard to his vast recent success dealt with his nifty move off the mound on Wednesday to grab Ryan Garko's high-chopper and then fire to first for the ninth inning's final out.

"You know what? One thing about that," said Jenks with a smile while thinking about the Garko play. "That was not going to be the hit."

Jenks has made 11 straight appearances of at least one inning without allowing a baserunner. According to SABR, it's the longest such streak since 1957.

The problem is, according to every reference I can find online, he's actually retired 36 batters in a row. Here's what he did in the July 17 game that started the streak, after he allowed a game-tying homer to Ryan Garko. According to Baseball Reference:
Bottom of the 9th, Indians Batting, Behind 3-5, Bobby Jenks facing 7-8-9

• Bobby Jenks replaces Charlie Haeger pitching
• --- 4 T Nixon Single to CF (Ground Ball)
• Ryan Garko pinch hits for Kelly Shoppach batting 8th
• RR 1-- 3 R Garko Home Run (Fly Ball to LF-CF); Nixon Scores
• --- 4 M Rouse Groundout: 2B-1B
• --- 1 G Sizemore Groundout: 1B unassisted
• --- 2 C Blake Flyball: CF

Three straight batters at the end of the inning. Not a double-play, as the report makes it sound. Followed by 11 straight perfect 1-inning appearances.

I've tried emailing a couple of reporters but have received no reply. I'll be glad to be shown where I am wrong -- I didn't see this game, so maybe all the online play-by-plays are wrong. Can you put your eyes on this one? And if I'm right, can you give the correct number some pub?

Scott

I've checked two sources, STATS, Inc. and BIS and both agree with Scott. However, I almost made the same mistake. When I looked at the event data, I looked at the top of the ninth because Chicago was the visiting team. That inning ended in a double play. But of course, Chicago batted in the top of the ninth and pitched in the bottom of the ninth. Indeed, Jenks retired the last three batters of that inning. The streak should be 36. (This is wrong, see the correction below.)

Correction: That wasn't the problem. In the second game of a double header on 7/24, Jenks came into the game with a runner on first and Rabelo lined into a double play. That's why he's only faced 35 batters.