Max Scherzer faced his former team and struck out 20 to tie a Major League Baseball record as the Washington Nationals defeated the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Wednesday.
Scherzer, who allowed two runs, became the first pitcher to fan 20 batters since Kerry Wood accomplished the feat in 1998.
“I just went out there and tried to execute [my fastball] and throw the slider off of that, and it worked,” Scherzer said. “Couple home runs, but other than that we got a win, and man, it’s a great, great feeling.”
Photo: Brad Mills-USA TODAY
Scherzer struck out the side in the eighth inning to give him 18 strikeouts and set a Nationals’ franchise record.
The 31-year-old American tied MLB’s nine-inning record on 119 pitches, including 96 strikes. He did not walk a batter.
He gave up a solo homer to J.D. Martinez to start the ninth as the Tigers cut the lead to 3-2, but Scherzer then struck out Miguel Cabrera, allowed a single to Victor Martinez, whiffed Justin Upton and got James McCann on a grounder to end the contest.
Washington’s Daniel Murphy had his second hit of the game, a liner to left, to drive in the tie-breaking run in the sixth to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead off Detroit’s ace starter Jordan Zimmermann.
His hit scored Anthony Rendon, who had singled and stolen base before a walk to Bryce Harper.
Scherzer struck out every Tigers’ batter at least once, except for designated hitter Victor Martinez.
Miguel Cabrera was part of a group of five Tigers who struck out three times.
Scherzer said he started thinking about the significance of his performance late in the contest.
“I think it was about the eighth inning when ... somebody said it was 18,” he said. “That was the first time I had the number.”
“So I knew I had a shot at going out for the ninth for 20,” he added. “I had to go through some tough, tough hitters there. All those guys over there. Those guys are unbelievable. They gave me a heck of a time tonight, but to be able to do that against them, that’s a feather in the cap.”
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Mets 4, Dodgers 3
‧ Padres 7, Cubs 4, Game 1;
‧ Padres 1, Cubs 0, Game 2
‧ Rangers 6, White Sox 5
‧ Royals 7, Yankees 3
‧ Red Sox 13, Athletics 3
‧ Braves 5, Phillies 1
‧ Pirates 5, Reds 4
‧ Marlins 3, Brewers
‧ Giants 5, Blue Jays 4, 13 inns
‧ Rockies 8, Diamondbacks 7
‧ Astros 5, Indians 3, 16 inns
‧ Orioles 9, Twins 2
‧ Mariners 6, Rays 5, 11 inns
‧ Cardinals 5, Angels 2
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