Nick Pivetta is currently pitching in his eighth year in the major leagues. The 31-year-old has now spent parts of five years with the Boston Red Sox, starting over 85 games for the ballclub. But since his arrival in the city in 2020, nothing has compared to Pivetta’s dominant stretch on Thursday.

Although the Red Sox were blanked 5-0 by the Detroit Tigers, Nick Pivetta tied a Boston strikeout record that is held by one of the best pitchers of all time. Nick Pivetta Ties Boston Strikeout Record Pivetta entered Thursday’s contest with a 4.20 ERA.

In his last start, things didn’t go so well for the right-hander. He allowed five runs in just over three innings against the Brewers on May 25. Looking to rebound, Pivetta took the mound against the Tigers.

And it is hard to script a better start to the game than what ensued. Pivetta walked outfielder Matt Vierling to start the contest. The Tigers’ two-hitter, Riley Greene , then grounded into a fielder’s choice for the first out.

Pivetta faced Mark Canha with a man on first and struck him out on six pitches. He did the same to cleanup hitter Gio Urshela , this time on seven pitches. Pivetta entered the second inning off the back of two consecutive strikeouts.

He took care of every batter in a similar fashion in the second frame. Detroit second baseman Colt Keith struck out on four pitches to begin the inning. The next two batters saw the same fate.

Two innings in and Nick Pivetta had five strikeouts, all coming in successi.