Washington Nationals' Max Scherzer Racks Up MLB Record 20 Strikeouts Against Former Team

During his first season with the Washington Nationals in 2015, Max Scherzer recorded two no-hitters, a one-hitter with 16 strikeouts and came within one out of a perfect game. After that sort of start with a new team, you wouldn’t think there’s anything that could top it.

Until Wednesday night, when Scherzer struck out 20 Detroit Tigers in his first start against his former team. He matched the MLB record held by Kerry Wood and Roger Clemens in what was a completely dominant performance.

“There’s something about 20,” Scherzer said. “Tonight was an emotional game, facing a former team and all those guys I have so much respect for. And so to have a game like this against that caliber of hitter on their side, it really puts a feather in my cap.”

Scherzer had an opportunity to set the record with two outs in the bottom of ninth inning as he faced Tigers catcher James McCann who had struck out in each of his previous three at-bats. McCann was able to keep Scherzer from getting the record to himself by grounding out to third base.

“It crossed my mind,” said Scherzer. “I was thinking of all the different scenarios in an 0-2 count that I could do to be able to get that last strikeout.”

The Nationals ace threw 96 of his 119 pitches for strikes as he only allowed six hits and two earned runs on his way to a 3-2 victory.