Nationals Pitcher Max Scherzer Ties MLB Record With 20 Strikeouts

He struck out five Detroit batters three times each.

Nationals ace Max Scherzer joined the ranks of Major League Baseball’s elite pitchers Wednesday night, tying the record of 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game.

USA Today Sports / Reuters

Scherzer beat his previous high of 17 strikeouts in the Nationals 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers, his former team. He joins pitching legends Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood in the 20 K club.

Scherzer and Johnson are the only pitchers who have tossed a 20-strikeout game and a no-hitter.

Tom Cheney set the league record for 21 strikeouts in 1962 with the Washington Senators, but that was over 16 innings.

Here are some other stats from Scherzer's game Wednesday: Of the right-hander's 119 pitches, 96 were strikes. He walked no one, and gave up six hits over nine innings. He struck out five Detroit players three times each.

Greg Fiume via Getty Images

The Nationals are in second place in the National League East.

At a news conference after the game, Scherzer provided some insight into his historic performance.

"Strikeouts are sexy. And to be able to punch out 20, it’s sexy," Scherzer said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the Nationals were leading the National League East. They are in second place.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot