On May 6, 1998, Chicago Cubs rookie Kerry Wood ties a major league record by striking out 20 batters in a 2-0, 1 hit shutout of the Houston Astros. Wood’s performance sets a new National League record for a nine-inning game, while tying Roger Clemens’ mark for most K’s in a nine-inning game. Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox had 20 strike outs twice, against the Seattle Mariners in 1986, and against the Detroit Tigers in 1996. The 20 year-old Texan breaks the National League record of 19 strikeouts in a nine-inning game shared by Steve Carlton, David Cone, and Tom Seaver and Rookie mark of 18 set by Bill Gullickson.

Brad Ausmus, who was catching for the Astros that day, also happened to be with the Tigers in 1996 when Clemens had his second 20-K game, and he said it was evident early on that Wood could do something special that day. “I remember thinking in the dugout, ‘Clemens struck out 20. I’m afraid this guy might strike out 27,’” Ausmus said in 2018.

Although Wood’s career achievements don’t match those of the other pitchers on this list, the right-hander’s masterpiece against the Astros is considered by some to be the most dominant pitching performance ever. In fact, his Game Score of 105 (using the Bill James formula) is the highest in MLB history for a nine-inning start.