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| Doug Fister struck out every member of the Royals' lineup in succession. (AP) |
Tigers starter Doug Fister set an American League record by striking out nine consecutive Royals on Thursday.
Salvador Perez struck out to end the fourth inning, starting the streak. Mike Moustakas, Jeff Francoeur and Brayan Pena struck out in order in the fifth, followed by Johnny Giavotella, David Lough and Alcides Escobar in the sixth. Alex Gordon and Billy Butler struck out to start the seventh before Perez grounded a two-strike pitch to Jhonny Peralta to end the streak and the inning.
Kansas City has managed just one hit so far -- a single by Perez in the second, while Fister has 10 strikeouts and one hit through seven innings.
The previous AL record was eight, set by Blake Stein in 2001. The major league record is 10, set by Tom Seaver in 1970. Seaver's string ended at 10 because he struck the last 10 batters of the game; before the game, he officially accepted the first of his three NL Cy Young awards.
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