Detroit Tigers “Non-Valverdes” Continue Scoreless Streak

If I want to get technical – it’s a streak without allowing earned runs, more than a streak without allowing runs. Announcers following the Tigers 3-0 victory in game 2 this evening pointed out that the last four Tigers starts this postseason have gone without an earned run allowed. Scherzer went 5 1/3 in game 4 of the ALDS and allowed only 1 unearned run. Justin Verlander pitched that complete game shutout in game 5. Fister went 6 1/3 scoreless yesterday and Sanchez 7 scoreless today. That’s obviously fantastic, but also pushing Tigers starters toward the history books with 29 2/3 straight innings without an unearned run – they will have the longest postseason streak without an earned run by any rotation provided Verlander can make it out of the first unscathed in game 3 in Detroit on Tuesday.

Oct 14, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher

(40) celebrates with catcher

(13) after game two of the 2012 ALCS against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Tigers won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

What you might also notice is that Jose Valverde has allowed the last SEVEN Tigers runs (earned or unearned). The last earned run any other Tiger allowed was Anibal Sanchez with one out in the 5th of game 3 of the ALDS. Sanchez and a grab bag of relievers proceeded to record 11 more scoreless outs in game 3. Prior to Valverde’s implosion, Tigers pitchers recorded 24 outs in game 4 while allowing only the one unearned run. JV got all 27 outs in game 5. Prior to Valverde’s second implosion last night, the rest of the Tigers’ crew recorded 24 scoreless outs. After Valverde left they got another 10 with no damage done – and then the 27 from Sanchez and Coke tonight. That makes 123 outs (or 41 innings pitched) by non-Valverdes this postseason since they last allowed an earned run, a pretty darn impressive feat.