WASHINGTON D.C. – Former Mizzou ace Max Scherzer made Major League Baseball history last night as he became just the fourth pitcher in history to strike out 20 batters in a game, joining the likes of Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson and Kerry Wood. He did all of this against his former team – the Detroit Tigers. He even picked up strikeout No. 18 against former Mizzou middle infield standout Ian Kinsler – a strikeout to end the eighth inning, making 20 strikeouts a realistic possibility heading into the ninth. The social media world exploded with praise for Scherzer's efforts. The top tweets from last night are below and be sure to listen to Scherzer's interview below.
Count 'em, twenty. https://t.co/uiGqQX8104?https://t.co/XnkYika5Ie
— MLB (@MLB) May 12, 2016
Scherzer's win over the Tigers made him the 2nd active pitcher with a win against all 30 MLB teams. (@EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/Jkjor25vU8
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 12, 2016
#THIS. To the Max.https://t.co/UVGmGUfhX1
— MLB (@MLB) May 12, 2016
ICYMI: Max Scherzer did something only 3 others have done — and he did it more efficiently: https://t.co/aiNpsNDx5U pic.twitter.com/zQBmhRU53o
— ESPN (@espn) May 12, 2016
Good Day for St. Louis@Cardinals W ?@StLouisBlues W ?#20Ks from St. Louis native @Max_Scherzer (Congrats Max) ? pic.twitter.com/8D8owQ4gEy
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 12, 2016
Thanks man! I loved watching ur game as a kid dreaming of doing the same. It's crazy to me we now share that feat https://t.co/hZoSgzU1el
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) May 12, 2016
Wow! Unreal adrenaline flow going out there for the 9th and staring down the middle of that lineup in that situation. #WhatAGame
— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) May 12, 2016
Balls Thrown in 20 K Game (9 IP):
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2016
- Max Scherzer: 23
- Randy Johnson:32
- Kerry Wood: 38
- Roger Clemens (2nd): 50
- Roger Clemens: 41
Max Scherzer has a 20-K game and 2 no-hitters
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2016
Only other pitcher with a 20-K game and 2 no-hitters: Randy Johnson
This is Scherzer's 41st start with Nats. 2 no-hitters, a 16-K one-hitter and a 20-strikeout gem. Almost 10% of his starts have been historic
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) May 12, 2016
Roger Clemens
— #MizzouBaseball (@MizzouBaseball) May 12, 2016
Randy Johnson
Kerry Wood
And.... #MizzouMade @Max_Scherzer! Only pitchers to ever strike out 20 batters
RT to congratulate
.@Max_Scherzer's record-tying 20 whiffs, by inning:
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) May 12, 2016
1st: 2
2nd: 3
3rd: 3
4th: 1
5th: 2
6th: 2
7th: 2
8th: 3
9th: 2 pic.twitter.com/mALSD1Os9G
My favorite part of watching Max Scherzer pitch is watching him stomp around the infield between hitters like he's mad he didn't K them all
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) May 12, 2016
11 by fastball.
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 12, 2016
5 by slider.
4 by changeup.
20 Ks for MAD MAX!
???? @MizzouBaseball's Max Scherzer. #MizzouMade ???? pic.twitter.com/FkKfRpIxVM
Unreal outing by former @MizzouBaseball Tiger @Max_Scherzer! Talk about A3P and first pitch strikes! 20 K's and only 23 balls! #ThrowinJUICE
— J.C. Field (@jcfield27) May 12, 2016
All 20 Ks from Max Scherzer last night. h/t @120Sports https://t.co/hhpWTDk4mk
— Baseball Fam (@ShtBallPlayrsDo) May 12, 2016
Strikeout artists. @45PedroMartinez, @ClaytonKersh22, and @Max_Scherzer. pic.twitter.com/LIVWp1AYbu
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) May 12, 2016