On May 11, 2016 — At Nationals Park Max Scherzer ties the major league record by striking out 20 batters in a nine-inning game against his former team as the Nationals defeat the Tigers, 3 – 2. He now shares the mark with Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson. Scherzer does not issue a single walk in the game.
The 31 year-old right-hander, who goes the distance in Washington’s 3-2 victory over the Tigers at Nationals Park, has an opportunity to establish a new record with two out in the ninth, but James McCann grounds into a force out at second base to end the contest.
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Washington Nationals 3, Detroit Tigers 2
SABR Article
Game Played on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 (N) at Nationals Park
DET A 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 6 0 WAS N 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 x - 3 9 0
BOX+PBP WP: Scherzer (4-2) LP: Zimmermann (5-2) HR: J. Martinez (5), Iglesias (1), Espinosa (3)
Play by Play
TIGERS 1ST: Kinsler popped to third; J. Martinez struck out; Cabrera struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 0, Nationals 0. NATIONALS 1ST: Revere flied to center; Rendon doubled to right; Harper singled to right [Rendon to third]; Murphy singled to left [Rendon scored, Harper to third]; Zimmerman grounded into a double play (second to first) [Murphy out at second]; 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 0, Nationals 1. TIGERS 2ND: V. Martinez singled to left; Upton struck out; McCann struck out; Gose was called out on strikes; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 0, Nationals 1. NATIONALS 2ND: Werth flied to right; Ramos walked; Espinosa flied to left; Scherzer popped to first; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 0, Nationals 1. TIGERS 3RD: Iglesias homered; Zimmermann struck out; Kinsler struck out; J. Martinez struck out; 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. NATIONALS 3RD: Revere lined to right; Rendon lined to left; Harper was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. TIGERS 4TH: Cabrera struck out; V. Martinez grounded out (first to pitcher); Upton flied to right; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. NATIONALS 4TH: Murphy popped to shortstop; Zimmerman singled to center; Werth popped to third; Ramos was called out on strikes; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. TIGERS 5TH: McCann was called out on strikes; Gose struck out; Iglesias flied to left; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. NATIONALS 5TH: Espinosa popped to third; Scherzer grounded out (shortstop to first); Revere flied to center; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. TIGERS 6TH: Zimmermann grounded out (shortstop to first); Kinsler struck out; J. Martinez struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 1. NATIONALS 6TH: Rendon singled to left; Rendon stole second; Harper walked; Murphy singled to left [Rendon scored, Harper to third, Murphy out at second (left to catcher to second to first)]; Zimmerman walked; Werth grounded into a double play (shortstop to second to first) [Zimmerman out at second]; 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 2. TIGERS 7TH: Cabrera lined to left; V. Martinez singled to center; Upton doubled to center [V. Martinez to third]; McCann was called out on strikes; Gose struck out; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 2. NATIONALS 7TH: Ramos was called out on strikes; Espinosa homered; Scherzer flied to left; Revere grounded out (second to first); 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 3. TIGERS 8TH: Iglesias was called out on strikes; SALTALAMACCHIA BATTED FOR ZIMMERMANN; Saltalamacchia was called out on strikes; Kinsler was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 3. NATIONALS 8TH: RYAN REPLACED SALTALAMACCHIA (PITCHING); Rendon was called out on strikes; Harper singled to center; Harper was caught stealing second (catcher to shortstop); when Bryce Harper was called safe at 2B, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus challenged the ruling; the call was overturned by replay; Murphy doubled to center; LOWE REPLACED RYAN (PITCHING); Zimmerman walked; Werth lined to left; 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Tigers 1, Nationals 3. TIGERS 9TH: REVERE CHANGED POSITIONS (PLAYING LF); TAYLOR REPLACED WERTH (PLAYING CF); J. Martinez homered; Cabrera struck out; V. Martinez singled to left; ROMINE RAN FOR V. MARTINEZ; Upton struck out; McCann forced Romine (third to second); 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Tigers 2, Nationals 3.
