This afternoon, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Max Scherzer became the 19th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts.
He did so in the fifth inning against San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer. It was one of 9 strikeouts on the day for Scherzer. Hosmer did get a small measure of revenge when he doubled off Scherzer in the 8th inning to break up a perfect game bid.
But the Dodgers handily won the game 8-0. Scherzer is 6-0 since being acquired by the Dodgers in late July from the Washington Nationals and is 14-4 with a 2.17 ERA overall. Of course, the Padres came very close to getting Scherzer so this game undoubtedly hurts as they are inn a dogfight with the Cincinnati Reds for the second NL Wild Card spot. Scherzer has a very strong chance of earning his fourth Cy Young Award. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2013 while with the Detroit Tigers and then won back to back NL Cy Youngs with the Nats in 2016 and 2017. If this doesn't lock down a plaque for Scherzer in Cooperstown then nothing will.
During this game, Scherzer struck out the side in the 2nd inning on 9 pitches. It was the third time in his career that he had an immaculate inning joining Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax and current Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale.
There are two other active pitchers who have a good chance at attaining 3,000 career strikeouts. Zack Greinke of the Houston Astros has 2,799 strikeouts while Dodgers' teammate Clayton Kershaw has 2,653. But today belonged to Max Scherzer.
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