Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer joined an exclusive group on Wednesday night, becoming the fourth pitcher to strike out 20 batters in a 9-inning game.
On the day that Major League Baseball handed down a one-game suspension to his teammate Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer made headlines for a much more positive reason. The 31-year old right-hander tied the record for strikeouts in a 9-inning game, fanning 20 in a 3-2 win Wednesday night over the Detroit Tigers.
With 18 Ks through 8 innings and closer Jonathan Papelbon warming in the bullpen, Scherzer took back to the mound and struck out Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton to forge his way into a tie for the record. A ground ball fielder’s choice off the bat of James McCann ended the game and Scherzer’s chance for history.
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The only other players to ever strike out 20 in a 9-inning game were Roger Clemens, who accomplished the feat twice, Randy Johnson, and Kerry Wood.
Scherzer’s previous career-high for strikeouts was 17, which he got in a no-hitter against the Mets last October. Bill Gullickson had held the Expos/Nationals franchise record of 18 strikeouts in a game since 1980.
This was the first meeting between Scherzer and the Tigers, whom he left to sign a 7-year, $210 million contract with prior to last season. Scherzer won the 2013 Cy Young award for Detroit and tossed two no-hitters for the Nationals in 2015.
Scherzer also got the win in this ballgame, allowing two runs on six hits and not walking a batter. In all, he threw 119 pitches, an absurd 96 of which were for strikes. Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, James McCann and Anthony Gose each struck out three times apiece.
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Washington improved to 21-13 in 2016, and sit in a tie with the New York Mets atop the National League East. Scherzer is now 4-2 through his first eight starts.