ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Michael Fulmer watched Matt Boyd throw seven scoreless innings against Texas a night earlier.
The Detroit rookie did his fellow starter two innings better, putting himself in the company of 2011 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.
Fulmer pitched a four-hitter in the Tigers’ second straight shutout of the Rangers, and Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez homered among three hits apiece in a 7-0 victory Sunday.
The 23-year-old right-hander became the first Tigers rookie to throw a shutout since Verlander 10 years ago. He retired 16 of the last 17 hitters he faced as Detroit kept the AL West-leading Rangers scoreless over the final 21 innings of the three-game series.
The gem from Fulmer (10-3), whose longest previous outing was eight innings in a no-decision against Kansas City, came a day after the lefty Boyd, not far removed from rookie status himself, led a 2-0 victory against Texas ace left-hander Cole Hamels.