Kerry Wood welcomes Max Scherzer to the 20-strikeout club
Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.
Kerry Wood welcomed Max Scherzer to the 20-strikeout club after the Washington Nationals ace punched out 20 Detroit Tigers in Wednesday night's 3–2 victory.
Wood accomplished the feat on May 6, 1998 when he struck out 20 Houston Astros. He finished his career with 1,582. Scherzer already has 1,663 strikeouts in his career.
Scherzer threw 119 pitches on the night, 96 of which went for strikes. He did not allow a single walk and gave up six hits and two runs.
Scherzer later thanked Wood for the message.
Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens (twice) are the only other pitchers to strikeout 20 pitchers in nine innings.
• VERDUCCI: Strasburg deal is dangerous for Nationals
Scherzer was facing his former team for the first time since signing a $210 million contract over seven years with Washington.
