Max Scherzer ties MLB record with 20 strikeouts vs Tigers

Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer flat-out embarrassed his former team, the Detroit Tigers, whiffing 20.

If you’re the Detroit Tigers, you have to feel a bit betrayed. All Detroit did was treat Max Scherzer with love and respect during his five-year stint with the organization and he turns right around and flat-out embarrasses the Tigers during a reunion on Wednesday night.

Scherzer was dominant all night, outside of a Jose Iglesias home run that just barely cleared the wall in left, and struck out 20 Tigers.

You could tell he was putting together a special outing when he had five strikeouts through the first two innings and 10 Ks after four. He just kept up his dominance, with the help of a large strike zone, and took the Tigers to the shed.

Heading into the ninth inning with a chance to tie or break the single-game strikeout record — having 18 after eight — he had to face the meat of the Tigers’ order that he was all too familiar with since they provided a ton of run support when he was in Detroit.

First batter, home run by J.D. Martinez. Next batter, Miguel Cabrera strikeout. Victor Martinez singled to left right after. With a pitch count of 114, the pressure was on.

Justin Upton struck out, to no one’s surprise and it was down to Scherzer and Brian McCann. However, the young catcher grounded out to end the game and Scherzer ended the game by tying the record with 20.

Outside of a no-hitter or perfect game, this is the most dominant a pitcher could possibly be. He joins Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood as the only other pitchers to strike out 20 in a single game.

The Tigers won’t be hoping for another reunion anytime soon.

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