MLB Notes: Max Scherzer ties record with 20 strikeouts in Nationals’ 3-2 win over Tigers

In the latest display of his otherworldly, dominant stuff, former Detroit Tigers All-Star Max Scherzer allowed two runs on six hits in a complete game effort. He struck out 20 batters in the Tigers’ 3-2 loss to the Nationals Wednesday.

The 20 strikeouts were a career-high and Nationals record. He became the fifth pitcher in major league history to strike out 20 batters, joining Tom Cheney, Randy Johnson, Kerry Wood and Roger Clemens. Scherzer struck out 17 last season in his second no-hitter of the year, against the Mets on Oct. 3.

Scherzer knew something was up in November, at former Tigers teammate Austin Jackson’s wedding, when former batterymate Alex Avila – son of Tigers general manager Al Avila – kept asking questions about right-hander Jordan Zimmermann.

“And I kind of put two and two together,” he said on Tuesday. “They want Zimm.”

Soon thereafter, they got Zimmermann, for five years and $110 million.

“So obviously they respect what they saw out of him,” he said.

And what we saw at Nationals Park on Wednesday night was why the Tigers gave Zimmermann that deal and, perhaps, why the Nationals gave Scherzer their money instead of offering a long-term contract extension to Zimmermann the winter before.

Zimmermann returned home – he spent the first six seasons of his career with the Nationals – and Scherzer faced his former teammates. And when they did, the former teammates deadlocked in a pitchers’ duel.

Zimmermann stumbled out of the gate, allowing a run on three hits in the first inning, but settled from there, allowing just a walk and a hit until the sixth inning, when Daniel Murphy broke a 1-1 tie with a RBI single. The Nationals padded the lead on a Danny Espinosa solo home run in the seventh inning.

Zimmermann, who received a standing ovation before his first at-bat of the game and tipped his helmet to the fans, allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked three.

But while the early noise was made for Zimmermann, the late noise was made for Scherzer, who elevated his game in the top of the seventh inning, after Justin Upton doubled off the center-field fence to put runners on second and third with one out.

Scherzer promptly struck out James McCann, Anthony Gose and then the side in the eighth inning to a standing ovation.

Two home runs – Jose Iglesias in the first inning and J.D. Martinez in the ninth inning – were the only blemishes in his box score.

Scherzer struck out Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, McCann and Gose each three times. He struck out Cabrera all three times swinging at high-velocity fastballs, on 10 total pitches. The only Tiger he did not strike out was Victor Martinez, who singled three times.

With the win, Scherzer joined Cubs righty John Lackey as the only two pitchers to defeat every major league team. He spent five seasons in Detroit, winning the 2013 American League Cy Young Award.

Scherzer’s 20 strikeouts were the most against the Tigers since Roger Clemens struck out 20 at Tiger Stadium in 1996, which is tied for the most in a nine-inning game in baseball history. Like Clemens, he walked none.

Harper appeals suspension

Bryce Harper has been suspended one game and fined by Major League Baseball for his behavior following an ejection this week.

The commissioner’s office says Harper has decided to appeal the penalty, so he remains eligible to play until the process is finished. Last year’s NL MVP is in the Washington Nationals’ lineup Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers.

During the bottom of the ninth inning of Washington’s 5-4 victory over Detroit on Monday night, Harper was in the dugout when he was ejected by plate umpire Brian Knight after Nationals batter Danny Espinosa was called out on strikes.

When someone is tossed from a game in the majors, he is required to leave the dugout.

Moments after the ejection, pinch-hitter Clint Robinson connected for a game-winning home run, and Harper ran onto the field with his teammates to celebrate. Harper pointed toward Knight and cursed at the umpire.

Clearing the bases

The Braves traded righty Jhoulys Chacin to the Angels for minor league lefty Adam McCreery. … Daniel Norris returned to the Tigers for the first time since surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his thyroid. … Mets lefty Steven Matz will miss his next turn in the rotation Saturday at Colorado because his elbow has flared up. … White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier needed five stitches after cutting his lower lip when he fell hard into the seats while trying to catch a foul ball at Texas. … Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia (strained left groin) anticipates he will come off the disabled list late next week.