Everyone knows Max Scherzer is dominant. In eight seasons, he has three seasons with 230+ strikeouts, has been named an All-Star twice, won a Cy Young Award, led the American League in wins twice, and he’s only 30. Add to that resume, a no-hitter; the sixth in Nationals history.
Scherzer solidified his legacy in the last week, when he struck out 16 en route to a one-hitter, which Carlos Gomez spoiled with no outs in the 7th. 11 of Scherzer’s 16 strikeouts came in the first six innings, where Scherzer retired 18 in a row.
For the longest time it appeared that Scherzer would have a perfect game, with the longest time being 8.2 innings with one strike to go. And then, in a classless move, Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Jose Tabata leaned in to a pitch to spoil the perfect game. One strike away, and that’s the thought that enters into a player’s mind? To drop your elbow on a pitch that would’ve run the count full. Shameful.
Scherzer is actually the second pitcher in MLB history to record 26 straight outs to start a game, and have a perfect game spoiled by a hit batter with two out in the ninth. Scherzer would get the final out to perserve his no-hitter.
To say Scherzer dominated the Pirates is an understatement. He made them look like a Double-A squad at best. Their timing, thanks to a tight slider, and impeccable change up, was thrown way out of whack and a seemingly routine sequence of hard stuff in, soft away, couldn’t be figured out.
The real testament to Scherzer’s ability was the last two starts combined. He’s allowed just one hit in his last 18 innings, struck out 26, and retired 54 of the last 57 batters he faced. That, no matter the pitcher or how you interpret it, is remarkable.
Max Scherzer had detractors. Not about his talent, but about his contract. He proved to every one of those detractors that he was worth every penny of what the Washington Nationals paid him.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t lose to Max Scherzer, the Detroit Tigers did by not re-signing him.
