MLB: Scherzer has 20 Ks, ties MLB record as Nats top Tigers

WASHINGTON — Max Scherzer struck out 20 batters, matching the major league record for a nine-inning game as he pitched the Washington Nationals past the Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Wednesday night.

Scherzer had a chance to break the mark when James McCann stepped to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning. McCann, who whiffed his previous three times up, grounded to third base for the final out.

The breathtaking performance came in Scherzer’s first outing against the Tigers, his former team. The ace right-hander, who pitched two no-hitters for Washington last season and struck out 17 in the second one, joined Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson as the only big league pitchers to compile 20 strikeouts in nine innings.

Johnson accomplished his feat for Arizona during a 2001 game that went 11 innings. Tom Cheney holds the major league record with 21 strikeouts when he pitched all 16 innings for the Washington Senators against Baltimore in 1962.

“I think it was about the eighth inning when I punched out somebody and they said that was 18, that was the first time I heard the number, so I knew I had a shot at going out for the ninth and 20,” said Scherzer, who did not issue a walk all night.

After striking out the side in the eighth, all on called strikes, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner was up to 18. He gave up a leadoff homer to J.D. Martinez in the ninth, then blew a 97 mph fastball by slugger Miguel Cabrera for No. 19.

Victor Martinez singled before Scherzer got another All-Star bopper, Justin Upton, swinging at a low slider to tie the record.

That came one pitch after Upton’s foul pop landed just beyond the reach of first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and in a camera well.

Scherzer pounded his fist in excitement and then went back to work. McCann, however, grounded an 0-1 pitch to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who threw to second for the forceout.

A giddy Scherzer smiled and yelped as he high-fived and hugged other Nationals players on the field. Then the pitcher was doused by his teammates during a postgame television interview.

Scherzer (4-2) threw an astounding 96 of 119 pitches for strikes in a six-hitter for his sixth career complete game. It was his first start against the Tigers since leaving them as a free agent for a $210 million, seven-year contract with Washington before last season.

He outpitched pal Jordan Zimmermann (5-2), a former Nationals teammate who left Washington as a free agent for a $110 million, five-year deal with Detroit before this season.

With the win, Scherzer joined Chicago Cubs right-hander John Lackey as the only active starters to own victories against all 30 major league clubs

Daniel Murphy had three hits, including a double and a pair of RBI singles off Zimmermann. Danny Espinosa homered off Zimmermann in the seventh as Washington took two of three in the interleague series.

Jose Iglesias homered early for Detroit.

After allowing seven runs on four homers in an 8-6 loss to the Cubs on Friday, Scherzer responded with one of the finest outings of his career.

He seemed to pick up steam late.

After Victor Martinez singled and Upton doubled with one out in the seventh, Scherzer got McCann looking and Anthony Gose swinging to escape.

Scherzer followed that by striking out the side in the eighth, with Ian Kinsler staring at a 96 mph fastball at the knees to end the inning.

Zimmermann allowed three runs over seven innings in his return to Nationals Park. The right-hander received a standing ovation from the crowd of 35,695 when he stepped into the batter’s box after Iglesias’ homer.

METS 4, DODGERS 3

LOS ANGELES— Noah Syndergaard became the second pitcher in Mets history to hit two home runs in a game, driving in all of New York’s runs in a victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Syndergaard (3-2) allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings, struck out six and walked one. He gave up five hits in the first four innings and then retired 11 in a row.

Syndergaard hit a solo homer on the first pitch from Kenta Maeda (3-2) in the third inning, and slammed a three-run shot in the fifth. Walt Terrell was the first Mets pitcher to hit two homers in a game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 6, 1983.

The last major league pitcher to homer twice in a game was Arizona’s Micah Owings, who accomplished the feat against Atlanta on Aug. 18, 2007.

Corey Seager and Yasmani Grandal homered for the Dodgers.

PADRES 7, CUBS 4, GAME 1; PADRES 1, CUBS 0, GAME 2

CHICAGO — Drew Pomeranz tied a career high with 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings and Christian Bethancourt hit a long solo home run to give San Diego a 1-0 victory over Chicago and a sweep of a day-night doubleheader.

In the first game, Brett Wallace hit a three-run homer in San Diego’s four-run seventh inning, and the Padres stopped the Cubs’ eight-game win streak with a 7-4 victory. Pedro Strop (1-1) took the loss and Carlos Villanueva (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning for the win.

In the second game, Pomeranz (4-3) allowed just three hits and walked three. No Chicago runner advanced past second base while the left-hander was on the mound.

Fernando Rodney got the final three outs for his 10th save in 10 chances. He also picked up the save in Game 1.

The lack of offense wasted a strong start from John Lackey (4-2), who allowed just one run on three hits in eight innings.

RANGERS 6, WHITE SOX 5

ARLINGTON, Texas — Adrian Beltre had the tiebreaking RBI single soon after his long errorless streak ended and Texas earned its second win in less than 24 hours against the team with the American League’s best record.

Beltre had a throwing error in top of the sixth to end his streak of 44 games without one.

White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier got his 10th RBI in the three-game series with his homer leading off the fourth. But he left the game in the bottom of that inning when he cut his lower lip and needed five stitches after falling hard face-first into the first row of seats while going after a foul popup.

Tony Barnette (2-2) got the final out in the sixth after taking over for starter Cole Hamels and Sam Dyson got his first save.

Dan Jennings (1-1) allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings for the White Sox (23-12).

ROYALS 7, YANKEES 3

NEW YORK — Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer in yet another big first inning against Michael Pineda, and slumping Kansas City rebounded to beat New York.

Down by four runs six batters in, New York clawed back to 4-3 against Yordano Ventura before Lorenzo Cain hit a two-run single in the sixth against reliever Nick Goody.

Kendrys Morales added a solo homer in the seventh off Phil Coke as the Royals won for just the fourth time in their past 15 games.

Ventura (3-2), coming off losses at Seattle and Cleveland, gave up three runs and six hits in six innings.

RED SOX 13, ATHLETICS 3

BOSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr. had two home runs and six RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, and Boston completed a three-game sweep.

Boston scored six runs in the first four innings and then had four more in the fifth to post its third straight game with at least 10 runs. Dustin Pedroia added a home run and the Red Sox finished with a season-high 17 hits.

The Red Sox outscored the Athletics 40-15 in the series and Oakland has lost a season-high five straight.

Rick Porcello (6-1) got the win, and has now pitched six or more innings in 15 straight starts — extending the longest active streak in the majors.

Eric Surkamp (0-3) took the loss after giving up four runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work.

BRAVES 5, PHILLIES 1

ATLANTA — Williams Perez allowed only two hits and one run in eight innings, Freddie Freeman homered and Atlanta finally claimed just its second home win.

Perez (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game, did not walk a batter while matching his longest start in the majors. He allowed no baserunners through four innings before Ryan Howard led off the fifth with a homer.

Perez faced only one batter over the minimum.

The Braves ended their streaks of five straight losses overall and 11 straight at home.

Freeman’s shot to right-center knocked Jerad Eickhoff (1-5) out of the game after allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

PIRATES 5, REDS 4

CINCINNATI Jordy Mercer singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, rallying Pittsburgh to a victory over Cincinnati in an NL Central rivalry game full of plunkings and ejections.

Andrew McCutchen, David Freese, Jung Ho Kang and Josh Harrison each hit solo homers.

Tony Watson (1-0) retired the side in the eighth. Mark Melancon gave up a single and a walk in the ninth while getting his 10th save in 11 chances. Ross Ohlendorf (3-4) took the loss.

Six batters were hit — four Pirates, two Reds — as the teams extended their history of plunkings. Over the last four seasons, the Reds have hit 43 Pirates batters (10 this season) and the Pirates have hit 41 Reds (five this season).

MARLINS 3, BREWERS 2

MIAMI Wei-Yin Chen tied a career high with 12 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help Miami beat Milwaukee.

Justin Bour hit a two-run homer for the Marlins, who won with five hits to take the series and finish 6-3 on their homestand. The Brewers still haven’t won a road series and went 3-4 on their trip.

Chen (3-1) allowed two runs and lowered his ERA to 4.40. A.J. Ramos pitched a perfect ninth for his 10th save in as many chances.

Chase Anderson (1-5) retired the first 10 batters, but lost his fifth start in a row. He allowed three runs in six innings.

GIANTS 5, BLUE JAYS 4, 13 INNINGS

SAN FRANCISCO — Buster Posey walked with the bases loaded in the 13th inning and San Francisco salvaged one win in a three-game series with Toronto.

Brandon Belt was hit by a pitch to open the inning and Denard Span’s bunt attempt was mishandled at second. Following a wild pitch, Joe Panik was walked intentionally.

Matt Duffy lined out to first base before Posey saw four straight balls from Ryan Tepera (0-1).

Albert Suarez (1-0) pitched an inning for his first major-league victory.

ROCKIES 8, DIAMONDBACKS 7

DENVER — Nolan Arenado hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, and Colorado ended its seven-game home losing streak.

Charlie Blackmon homered among his three hits and drove in three runs for Colorado. The Rockies had tied the franchise record for consecutive defeats at Coors Field and were within two of the mark for home losses in Denver set in 1993 at Mile High Stadium.

Arenado rescued Colorado after starter Chad Bettis and the bullpen blew a six-run lead. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Arenado hit Tyler Clippard’s (2-1) 2-2 pitch just inside the foul pole in left field for his NL-leading 13th homer of the season.

Gonzalez German (1-0) got the win and Jake McGee pitched the ninth for his ninth save.

ASTROS 5, INDIANS 3, 16 INNINGS

HOUSTON — Marwin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in the 16th inning for Houston.

Carlos Correa reached on an infield single to start the inning, Houston’s first hit since the seventh. One out later, Gonzalez sent one into the seats in right field off Cody Anderson (0-3) to hand Houston its third victory in five games.

Michael Feliz (1-0) allowed one hit in three scoreless innings for the win.

Anderson yielded two hits, two runs and struck out four over 3 1/3 innings in his first career relief appearance.

ORIOLES 9, TWINS 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Mark Trumbo hit two home runs and the Baltimore Orioles hit back-to-back homers for the third straight game.

Adam Jones had four hits, including a two-run homer in the ninth, and Chris Davis also went deep and drove in four runs for the first-place Orioles, who have won four straight. Tyler Wilson (2-1) gave up two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Miguel Sano hit his fourth homer for the Twins (8-25), who have lost seven straight games. Phil Hughes (1-6) lasted just four innings in another terrible start for the worst team in the American League.

MARINERS 6, RAYS 5, 11 INNINGS

SEATTLE — Chris Iannetta led off the bottom of the 11th inning with a homer to give Seattle a sweep of the three-game series against Tampa Bay.

Iannetta jumped on a 3-2 pitch from Steve Geltz (0-1) for his third homer for Seattle.

Steve Johnson (1-0) got the win.

The Rays tied it 5-5 on Kiermaier’s one-out solo homer in the ninth.

CARDINALS 5, ANGELS 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Jaime Garcia allowed just four hits in seven innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Los Angeles Angels.

Garcia (3-2) gave up two unearned runs and struck out eight to win his second straight start. He has yet to allow an earned run in 14 innings this month.

Kevin Siegrist pitched a perfect eighth and Trevor Rosenthal retired the side in the ninth to complete the four-hitter.

The Cardinals scored four times in the second inning against Matt Shoemaker (1-5).

C.J. Cron hit a two-run homer for the Angels, who have lost five straight and nine of 11.