Scherzer becomes 5th to record 10-plus strikeouts in 100 career games
Max Scherzer joined a select group on Saturday against the New York Yankees.
The Washington Nationals ace recorded his 100th career start with 10-plus strikeouts, becoming just the fifth pitcher during the modern era (since 1901) to reach that milestone.
The veteran hit the historic mark when he struck out Brett Gardner to end the fourth inning.
BRING. US. YOUR. 100. EMOJIS. 💯#Scherzday // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/q6ISXanrWY
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 8, 2021
Scherzer joins Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Pedro Martinez.
| Pitcher | Seasons | 10-plus K Games |
|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ryan | 1969-1993 | 215 |
| Randy Johnson | 1988-2009 | 212 |
| Roger Clemens | 1984-2007 | 110 |
| Pedro Martinez | 1992-2009 | 108 |
| Max Scherzer | 2008- | 100 |
He's tallied 90 of his double-digit strikeout games since 2013, by far the most during that span, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
The 36-year-old finished Saturday's start with 14 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings, upping his season total to 61 and establishing a new single-game record for a visiting pitcher at the current version of Yankee Stadium, according to Newsday's Erik Boland. It was Scherzer's 11th career start with 14-plus strikeouts.
Most 14+ strikeout games (since at least 1901):
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) May 8, 2021
Randy Johnson: 47
Nolan Ryan: 36
Roger Clemens: 15
Sam McDowell: 14
Pedro Martínez: 14
Sandy Koufax: 13
Rube Waddell: 12
Max Scherzer: 11
The hurler made some additional history Saturday when he passed Mickey Lolich for 20th on the all-time strikeout list. He's now logged 2,845 career strikeouts and sits 10 back of Jim Bunning for 19th.