Doug Fister Sets American League Record for Consecutive Strikeouts
September 27, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister (58) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE
The American League Central race isn’t the only excitement going on at Comerica Park today as the Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals. Tigers starting pitcher Doug Fister has set a new franchise and American League record for consecutive strikeouts with nine. It was the first time and American League pitcher had ever cycled through an entire lineup with nothing but strikeouts.
Fister got Salvador Perez on strikes to end the fourth inning then struck out the side in the fifth and sixth innings. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler stuck out to start the seventh inning but Salvador Perez grounded out to break the streak.
Six strikeouts came on called third strikes while three Royals went down swinging. The Comerica Park crowd gave Fister a standing ovation as the scoreboard displayed the accomplishment.
The previous Tigers record was seven, set by Denny McLain in 1965 and John Hiller in 1970. The Major League record for consecutive strikeouts is ten, set by Tom Seaver in 1970.