Just six successful picks away from winning $5.6 million in Beat the Streak presented by MGM Resorts, Roberto Aguirre-Hunn Jr. selected DJ LeMahieu to get a hit during the Yankees' 4-0 victory over the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Friday, hoping to extend his streak to a record 52 straight.

But Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game hitting streak remains safe for now, even when it comes to the annual contest, which began in 2001. LeMahieu went 0-for-4, and on one particular groundout in the fifth inning, when he hit the ball with an exit velocity of 100.5 mph to the right side and Toronto's Cavan Biggio made a full-extension dive to rob him of a hit, Aguirre-Hunn came within inches of keeping the streak alive.

"As you would expect, I'm definitely hurt that I got so close and came up just short," Aguirre-Hunn said. "With that being said, I hold no regrets on my pick. If I had another chance I would do the same thing all over again." 

• Play Beat the Streak presented by MGM Resorts

Aguirre-Hunn also picked LeMahieu when his streak was at 49 games, and the All-Star second baseman came through with a single to push the streak to 50. On Thursday, Aguirre-Hunn tied the BTS record with No. 51 when the Astros' Michael Brantley singled in the third inning against the Rangers.

In BTS history, there have been 83 streaks of 40 or more, with Aguirre-Hunn and Robert Mosley (51 in 2017) holding the only two streaks of 50 or more. This is the second time in four seasons that LeMahieu was chosen in hopes of setting a new BTS record but was unable to get a hit in that day's game. Terry Sims was at 49 straight games in 2016 when he picked LeMahieu in a game in which the second baseman went 0-for-1 with two walks before leaving due to injury.

Aguirre-Hunn, whose streak began June 10 when he successfully picked the Nationals' Anthony Rendon and the Rangers' Hunter Pence, had his picks combine for a .355 batting average (76-for-214) over the 51 games of the streak. DiMaggio, by comparison, hit .408 (91-for-224) during his legendary 56-game streak in 1941.

"This is a testament to just how hard this game really is," Aguirre-Hunn said. "If it was easy, everybody would get to 50. I will pick myself up and try it again; you can't win if you don't play. I'm still proud of my accomplishment and can only hope that I can build another great streak like that. I am definitely up for the challenge."