Washington Nationals Max Scherzer Comes One Out from Perfection

Max Scherzer has cemented himself as being among the best pitchers in baseball over the past few seasons. Last year, the Washington Nationals starter came one batter away from immortality.

Since signing with the Washington Nationals, Max Scherzer has carved his way into the history books. He became the fifth pitcher in MLB history to throw two no hitters in the same season, and just over a month ago, he tied the record with 20 strikeouts in a game. Scherzer has certainly proven to be amongst the best in baseball over the past couple of years.

However, Scherzer came close to joining another exclusive group. On this day last season, he came within one batter of pitching a perfect game. After setting down 26 consecutive batters, Jose Tabata came to the plate as a pinch hitter, and leaned into an inside pitch on a 2-2 count to become the only baserunner that the Pittsburgh Pirates would have that day. Scherzer then retired Josh Harrison on a fly ball to end the no hitter.

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This no hitter came after Scherzer pitched a one hitter in his previous start, a two start performance that was only surpassed by Johnny Vander Meer with his consecutive no hitters. He also made a run at Vander Meer’s record in his next start, pitching five perfect innings before allowing a double in the sixth to keep him from joining Vander Meer with consecutive no hit performances.

One can also question Tabata for leaning into the pitch. Just as how trying to bunt for a hit to break up a no hitter is frowned upon by the unwritten rules of baseball, Tabata leaning in to get hit had to be frowned upon. Of course, had the umpire refused to give him first since he did not move out of the way, it would have been a moot point, and Scherzer may well have gotten his perfect game.

Next: Washington Nationals trade deadline overview

It is tough when a pitcher comes one out away from a no hitter. It is even worse when they are one out away from a no hitter, only to lose it when a batter leans in to a pitch. That happened to Max Scherzer one year ago today, with one final strike keeping him from adding another page to his already storied career.