Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout game (2016)

Lore & Background

Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout game is a cherished chapter in Nationals lore, showcasing his fierce competitiveness and surgical precision. The performance tied the MLB record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game, joining legends like Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood, and Randy Johnson. But Scherzer did what none of them had: he did it without walking a single batter, striking out 19 of the first 24 he faced. It was the first perfect-strikeout gem of its kind, a feat that still echoes through baseball history.

Reader's Guide

Max Scherzer's 20-strikeout game occurred on May 11, 2016, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Facing the Detroit Tigers, Scherzer struck out 20 batters over nine innings, allowing only two runs on six hits and no walks. This tied the major league record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game, a feat previously achieved by Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood, and Randy Johnson. Scherzer's performance was notable for its efficiency—he threw only 119 pitches—and his ability to mix a devastating slider with a high-velocity fastball. The game remains the only 20-strikeout performance in Nationals history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitching displays of the 21st century.

Did You Know?

• He struck out 19 of the first 24 batters he faced, including 14 of the first 15.
• The game marked the first 20-strikeout performance by a National since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005.
• Scherzer's 20 strikeouts remain the most by any pitcher in a single game in the 2010s decade.