MLB: Washington star reaches historic club

Max Scherzer has finished his 300th strikeout of the season in his home match against the Miami Marlins (9:4 Nats) on Tuesday. He is only the 17th player in the history of MLB to reach this milestone in one year.

In the seventh inning Scherzer managed his tenth strikeout of the game against rookie Austin Dean for the second out in the inning. It was a 3-2 slider and it was also the 18th time this season that Scherzer collected at least ten strikeouts in one game. The spectators acknowledged the performance with standing ovations lasting several minutes.

“I definitely wanted to make it here at home,” said Scherzer, who is expected to start again next Sunday, after the game: “The fans supported me incredibly. When they all stand up and go crazy, it gives you an extra adrenaline rush. And you just want to go out and reach this milestone. It was a great feeling to have the fans behind me.”

Scherzer lost a run over seven innings (5 H) and needed exactly 100 pitches for his 18th victory of the season.

“What an incredible achievement for him,” said manager Davey Martinez: “I’m just happy to have experienced it. I can’t praise him enough. He’s a winner and a true champion.”

Scherzer thus rises into an illustrious circle. Since 1900, a total of 17 different pitchers have achieved at least 300 strikeouts in one season. Since 2000 Scherzer is only the fifth.

Scherzer is leading the MLB this year with his 300 strikeouts. Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros came second with 280 – while Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets came second with 259.

This article was published without prior review by Major League Baseball.