Zimmermann Finally Loses Scoreless Streak After 24.1 Shutout Innings
Detroit Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann has already made history during his inaugural season in Motown, becoming the first starting pitcher in 43 years to begin his tenure with a new team by throwing 20-plus scoreless innings, per Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN Stats & Info).
The last pitcher to accomplish the feat was Fred Norman, who was traded to the Cincinnati Reds before the 1973 season and subsequently introduced himself as a newfound member of the dominant Big Red Machine by logging 26 consecutive innings without allowing a run.
Zimmermann himself threw 24.1 innings for the Tigers before finally allowing his first run in the sixth frame of Monday's 7-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. He could have extended his streak even longer had Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins not lost sight of a fly ball off the bat of Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien.
After Collins misplayed the fly, fellow outfielder Justin Upton went to scoop up the loose ball, only to have it drop out of his glove, which allowed Semien to reach third base.
Oakland’s Billy Burns recorded an RBI single on the next at-bat, and just like that, Zimmermann's historic streak had come to a close.
Though he didn't quite match Norman's run from 1973, Zimmermann's 24.1 scoreless innings represent the longest streak by any player at the beginning of his tenure with the Tigers, per Elias Sports Bureau (via Baseball Tonight on Twitter).
Rightfully, he received a standing ovation when he left the mound at the end of the sixth inning.
