Dating back to May 4 of 2007, Justin Verlander had struck out at least one batter in every single start, a streak that spanned 331 starts.
Unfortunately, the Detroit Tigers pitcher has seen that epic streak come to an end.
Justin Verlander's streak of 331 consecutive starts with a strikeout has ended. It dated back to May 4, 2007.
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) July 2, 2017
Verlander was replaced by Chad Bell in the bottom of the fourth inning Sunday as the Tigers battled the Cleveland Indians. In the 3.1 innings Verlander took the mound, he gave up nine hits, seven earned runs, three walks and two home runs.
And when he walked off the mound, the one-time strikeout king conspicuously sported a big fat zero in the strikeout column.
All good things must come to an end. For Verlander, whose overall game has declined recently, that time is now.