Brad Boxberger sets Rays' single-season strikeout record for a reliever

Published Sep. 5, 2014 11:58 p.m. ET

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Brad Boxberger stopped in his walk from a pleased clubhouse. The Tampa Bay Rays' new single-season strikeout leader as a reliever considered his place in history, and right away, he knew the accomplishment would grow more valued with time.

"It's cool," Boxberger said. "Looking back on it, it will probably be more of a thing than it is now. It's still the beginning of September, so there's still a lot of time. But definitely after this year and looking back on it, it will be something to be able to look at and be like, 'This is pretty cool to think about.'"

Boxberger had two strikeouts in the Rays' 3-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at Tropicana Field, giving him 94 this season. He passed former Rays reliever J.P. Howell's high mark of 92 strikeouts in 2008, a feat that adds to Boxberger's emerging reputation as a no-frills, no-drama bullpen option for manager Joe Maddon.

If Boxberger's pairing with fellow reliever Jake McGee represents one of Tampa Bay's strongest developments in this underwhelming season, then Boxberger himself has played a valuable role in giving the Rays' bullpen an identity. His no-mess approach to pitching since he was gained in a trade with the San Diego Padres last January matches his personality: Cool, calm, composed. His personality matches his pitching profile.

"He's kind of helped define it," Maddon said of Boxberger's role within the bullpen. "The fact that Grant (Balfour) had struggled a little bit, and we readjusted the role with Jake. Joel (Peralta) met with some kind of problems, but then he's come back relatively good. But overall, you were looking more for Jake to Peralta or Peralta to Jake to Grant. That just didn't play. The fact that Boxy surfaced, really became this bridge. We've also used McGee to bridge to Boxy, too."

Boxberger's numbers remain strong. He's 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 57 appearances this season. Among the Rays' staff members, only right-hander Jake Odorizzi (166), right-hander Chris Archer (152), right-hander Alex Cobb (134) and left-hander Drew Smyly (125) -- all starters -- have more strikeouts this season.

Boxberger's speed in setting the record sets him apart. He needed 60 innings to reach his current strikeout total. In 2008, Howell threw 89 1/3.

"I never even thought about it," Boxberger said of his strikeout amount. "It's just kind of one of those things that just progressed throughout the year, and it kind of worked out that way."

What makes him most proud about what he has done this season?

"Probably just being able to establish a role in the bullpen and being able to stay here and help the team out this year," he said.

Boxberger has done plenty of helping, with more on the way the rest of this year and beyond.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.