Max Scherzer ties MLB record with 20 strikeouts in one game

Mark Townsend | Big League Stew

11 May 2016 at 11:44 pm

Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is no stranger to making history. Last season, he completed two no-hitters, including one in which he came just one out short of a perfect game.

Now he's etched his name in the history books under a different category of pitching dominance. In Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers, Scherzer tied the major-league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game.

Scherzer actually had a chance to set to a new record. He entered the ninth with 18 strikeouts before fanning Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton. He retired James McCann on a game-ending groundout that some fans fan may have wished third baseman Anthony Rendon booted just to give him one more shot.

Scherzer celebrates with catcher Wilson Ramos. Image: Getty

As it was, the Nationals got a win and Scherzer's performance will go as one of the most dominant in MLB history. Especially when factoring in his command. Scherzer did not issue a single walk the entire game. He only allowed two runs on six hits, including a ninth-inning homer to J.D. Martinez.

Scherzer's outing comes just five days after the 18th anniversary of Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game against the Houston Astros. Roger Clemens is the only other pitcher to notch a 20-strikeout game. He did it twice for the Boston Red Sox, with the first coming in 1986 and the second coming in 1996.

Scherzer's 20 K's (strikeouts). Image: Getty

Randy Johnson once amassed 20 strikeouts in an outing for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. However, he needed 10 innings to reach that plateau. Only 19 of his strikeout came during regulation.

Regardless, anytime a pitcher a notches flirts with 20 strikeouts at all or notches a number in the high teens, it's a special outing. And there's no doubt people will remember Scherzer's night for a long time to come.