Max Scherzer the ace on the Washington Nationals pitching staff become the most recent member of baseball’s 2,000 strikeout club on Sunday afternoon.
The Nationals right-hander is the third fastest pitcher to reach that milestone in baseball history. Scherzer struck out Nomar Mazara a Texas Rangers outfielder to record his 2,000 strikeout during the fourth inning.
His 2,000 strikeout came in just his 1,784th inning pitched. Just Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson reached 2,000 strikeouts in fewer innings pitched.
Over 50% of the strikeouts recorded by Scherzer, or 1,081, came while pitching with the Detroit Tigers. Scherzer started in the majors with Arizona prior to being traded to the Tigers in 2009. He then signed with Washington as a free agent.
Scherzer becomes the 81st pitcher in baseball history to reach 2,000 strikeouts. There are eight active pitchers, including Scherzer, who have reached the 2,000 club.
Health is a big question with starters that are over 30, and Scherzer will be 33 in July. However, if he remains healthy, he could reach the 3,000 strikeout plateau.
Just 16 pitchers in baseball history have reached that lofty mark.
Last season, Scherzer became just the sixth MLB pitcher to win the Cy Young award in both the American and National Leagues.
Koda Glover the current closer for the Nationals blew a save on Saturday adding to the issues Washington has with its closers.
He gave up a pair of runs during the ninth inning and the Nationals went on to lose to Texas 6-3.
Glover, who is a rookie, was 8 for 8 in saves prior to the blown save on Saturday. He took the closer duties over during late April, as others faltered.
After the game on Saturday, Glover told the media he did not feel 100% during the game physically but attempted to pitch through that.
He said he injured his back while in the shower earlier on Saturday and did not say anything to the team until after the game.
Glover said he bent down for body wash, stood up and felt a kink. He did not want to take the day off so he attempted to push through it and the result was his back is now pretty bad.
It remains unclear if this will cause Glover to miss any games or be put on the team’s disabled list.
