Zimmermann matches club record with shutout streak
Jordan Zimmermann appears to be transitioning from the National League to the American League just fine.
The Detroit Tigers right-hander extended his shutout streak to 19 1/3 innings to open the season with a strong seven-inning effort Wednesday in a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Zimmermann's shutout streak ties the longest by a pitcher to start his Tigers career, equaling Doug Bair's 19 1/3 shutout frames to open the 1983 season, according to Elias Sports.
Perhaps even more impressive, Zimmermann has silenced the bats of three formidable foes - the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Royals - to this point.
| DATE | OPP | IP | H | ER | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 8 | Yankees (W 1-0) | 7.0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| April 14 | Pirates (W 2-0) | 6.0 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| April 20 | Royals (W 3-0) | 6.1 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
Detroit lured the former Washington National to the Motor City with a lucrative five-year, $110-million deal in November, a gamble that's clearly paying early dividends.
Zimmermann, who's next start is scheduled for Monday at home against the Oakland Athletics, earned a pair of All-Star nods, and led the NL in wins with 19 in 2013 over seven years with the Nationals.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)