Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer Passes Cy Young In Strikeouts

Max Scherzer continues to climb the all-time strikeout list. 

When the Washington Nationals signed Max Scherzer before the start of the 2015 season, they had no idea what they were in store for. When he signed his massive seven-year deal worth $210 million, some thought it was an overpay. Instead, he has lived up to the deal and much more. Over his six years in D.C., he has won two Cy Youngs, while helping the Nationals win the World Series in 2019.

Tonight Scherzer made history, passing Cy Young for 22nd all-time in strikeouts with 2,807 (he finished the night with 2,808). Right from the start, the future Hall of Famer was on his game, only allowing a one-out single in the first. From there, vintage Scherzer appeared, with the veteran at one point retiring 13 in a row. After four innings, he had six strikeouts, putting him two behind Cy Young.

But then he started to show signs of fatigue in the fifth. With two outs, he walked back-to-back guys on four pitches each, but Scherzer escaped the jam by striking out the pitcher Widener. The Nationals righty was seen walking back to the dugout yelling expletives to himself.

With Washington’s bats silent and the bullpen having been taxed the night before, Manager Dave Martinez sent Scherzer back out for the sixth. After allowing a leadoff single, the Nationals ace seemed to empty the tank, retiring the next three batters in a row.

During the bottom of the sixth, Scherzer was seen stalking the team’s dugout looking for someone to celebrate with. That’s when he spotted the Nationals hitting coach, Kevin Long, and forced him into a chest bump before he walked down the clubhouse stairs.

https://twitter.com/masnNationals/status/1383223180223938564?s=20

Many were surprised when Scherzer came back out for the seventh, whose pitch count was already in the mid-’90s.  Scherzer struck out VanMeter to tie Cy Young and followed this up by striking out Escobar to pass the Hall of Famer. In vintage Scherzer fashion, he struck out Kelly to record his tenth K of the night. This was the right hander’s 99th game with 10+ strikeouts.

While he received a no-decision, Washington won thanks to a Kyle Schwarber walk-off bomb in the ninth.

Next up for Scherzer is Mike Mussina, who has 2,813 career strikeouts.