Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson now have company.
Facing his former team, Max Scherzer struck out 20 to tie an MLB nine-inning record as his Washington Nationals defeated the Detroit Tigers, 3-2.
After reaching 18 Ks through eight, Scherzer went out for the ninth with Washington up by two runs — only to have his first pitch hit out of the park by J.D. Martinez.
But Nats manager Dusty Baker stuck with his starter, who then fanned Miguel Cabrera for No. 19. Following a single by Victor Martinez, Scherzer got Justin Upton swinging to become the fourth pitcher ever to reach 20.
Max Scherzer said pitching 20 Ks was a bigger accomplishment than throwing a no hitter. What an amazing show it was @Max_Scherzer. #hatsoff
— Daniel Bartels (@DanBartels19) May 12, 2016
He had a chance to stand alone in the record books, but James McCann managed to ground into a fielder’s choice to end it.
In his complete game effort, Scherzer threw 119 pitches — 96 strikes and just 23 balls.
Roger Clemens reached 20 strikeouts on two occasions (1986 and ’96), Kerry Wood did it in 1998, and Randy Johnson completed the feat in 2001.
