Max Scherzer struck out 11 batters over seven innings Sunday, the 110th time he fanned 10 or more – tying him with Roger Clemens for the third-most in MLB history.
However, he failed in one other potential accomplishment – he is still stuck on 199 wins – and the Mets failed to sweep the Rockies, falling 1-0 in a true pitcher’s duel.
Only the latter matters to Scherzer, though, who said this when asked if he’ll reflect on tying Clemens at all:
“Maybe in the offseason; right now I have my blinders up and live start to start. These milestones are great, don't get me wrong, but I'm more focused on winning with the team,” he said.
Nolan Ryan (215) and Randy Johnson (212) are tops on the list of games with 10 or more Ks, though it’s likely Scherzer will do it again at least once and finish his career third on that list (Chris Sale is the next active pitcher in line, seventh all-time with 78).
Scherzer will also surely become the 120th pitcher in MLB history to record 200 wins, his next one tying Chuck Finley, Jon Lester, George Uhle, and Tim Wakefield at an even two hundo. Scherzer has a realistic shot to get all the way up to 108th, where Orel Hershiser and Al Horth live with 204 wins, but gotta get to 200 first.
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And really, that’s what important to him, assuming the Mets also win that game.
“We've got bigger and better things to do,” Scherzer said. “My accomplishments, I’ll worry about those later.”
The 82-47 Mets are tied with Houston for the best record in baseball, and they are at least guaranteed a share of first place heading into September. Sunday’s loss leaves the Mets with a 2.5-game lead over Atlanta, who will play St. Louis Sunday night. Both teams are off Monday, meaning that the best the Braves can be is tied with the Mets when the calendar flips on Thursday.
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