Max Scherzer equaled Major League's nine-innings record of 20 strikeouts on Wednesday, leading the Washington Nationals past Detroit Tigers 3-2.
Pitching against his former team, Scherzer had a chance to strike out the final batter and stand alone in the record books but James McCann grounded out for the last at-bat of the game.
Scherzer's incredible performance ties him with Roger Clemens, who reached the 20-strikeout mark twice, along with Randy Johnson and Kerry wood.
"I think it was about the eighth inning when I (struck) out somebody and they said it was 18, that was the first time I had the number," Scherzer told reporters. "So I knew I had a shot at going out for ninth for 20."
Scherzer (4-2) did not walk a batter on yet another magical night for the Washington ace.
Last season, Scherzer fired off two no-hitters to become just the sixth pitcher in Major League history to accomplish that. Scherzer played for Detroit from 2010 to 2014, winning the Cy Young Award in 2013, before signing with the Nationals and he came back to haunt the Tigers on Wednesday.
"Tonight, facing my former team, it was an emotional game," Scherzer said. "I have so much respect for how they play the game and compete. To have a game like that against that caliber of hitters really puts a feather in my cap."