If he could count on outings like Thursday, it would be easier. But no Tiger has ever had a save like that.
No Detroit pitcher had ever faced four batters and struck out all of them for a save. Soria is just the 23rd Major League pitcher since 1970 to do it. He's the second in the past week, joining Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, who did it May 2 against the Red Sox.
Other well-known closers to do it, according to baseball-reference.com, include:
• Mariano Rivera (June 24, 2009, vs. Atlanta)
• Miguel Batista (Sept.