Max Scherzer authored one of the more dominant pitching performances in recent memory during Wednesday’s game between the Nationals and Tigers.
Scherzer tied a major league record for strikeouts in a nine inning game with 20. He joins Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Kerry Wood as the only players to achieve the feat. Here’s the one that tied the record.
Perhaps just as impressive is that 96 of the 119 pitches Scherzer threw were strikes. The 23 balls are the fewest in a 20-strikeout performance.
Balls Thrown in 20 K Game (9 IP):
– Max Scherzer: 23
– Randy Johnson:32
– Kerry Wood: 38
– Roger Clemens (2nd): 50
– Roger Clemens: 41— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2016
Back in 1998, 20-year-old rookie Kerry Wood announced his presence to the baseball world by recording 20 strikeouts in just his fifth career start. Shortly after Wednesday’s game ended, Wood congratulated Scherzer and welcomed him to the exclusive club.
Congratulations to @Max_Scherzer on an impressive and dominant performance tonight. Welcome to the club! #Filthy
— Kerry Wood (@KerryWood) May 12, 2016
Scherzer struck out Ian Kinsler, J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, James McCann, and Athony Gose three times apiece. Justin Upton went down twice. Jose Iglesias, Jordan Zimmermann, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia each struck out once.
