Justin Verlander sets single-postseason strikeout record for Tigers

Justin Verlander only lasted four innings in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, and he certainly isn't happy about giving up six hits and five earned runs over that span -- his shortest outing since June of 2010 -- but the Detroit Tigers ace did cross an historical threshold amid the chaos.

After Pablo Sandoval finished rounding the bases on his first home run of the night, Verlander struck out Giants slugger Buster Posey to end the first inning. Brian Britten, the Tigers' Director of Media Relations, noted on Twitter that the strikeout was Verlander's 26th of the 2012 MLB post-season, which set a new franchise record for the most strikeouts by a Tigers pitcher in a single post-season.

It's an afterthought for Detroit at the moment, but Verlander should get another chance to add to his total during this series. For all the great games the Tigers' ace has posted throughout the years, he has yet to dominate during the World Series -- according to Baseball-Reference, Verlander is now 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA over three career World Series appearances.

Game 2 between the Giants and the Tigers is set for 8 p.m, ET on Thursday night.