Nationals righty Max Scherzer struck out 20 Tigers wednesday night in D.C. in an epic performance. Here is how the Tigers’ lineup fared individually:
Ian Kinsler: 3 Ks
J.D. Martinez: 3 Ks
Miguel Cabrera: 3 Ks
Victor Martinez: 0 Ks
Justin Upton: 2 Ks
James McCann: 3 Ks
Anthony Gose: 3 Ks
Jose Iglesias: 1 K
Jordan Zimmermann: 1 K
Entering the 9th inning with 18 strikeouts, he served up a first pitch home run to J.D. Martinez to make it a 3-2 game. He then settled down and struck out Miguel Cabrera before surrendering a base hit to Victor Martinez. He then struck out Justin Upton for his 20th of the game. James McCann grounded out to third to end the game.
So far this season, Scherzer is 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA. In 52 innings he has struck out 66 batters and walked 15, while holding opposing batters to a .237 BAA.
This ties the MLB record for strikeouts in a 9-inning game. He shares the record with Roger Clemens (twice), Randy Johnson, and Kerry Wood.
Tom Seaver and David Cone both came close in Mets uniforms, each of them striking out 19 batters in games.
