Max Scherzer enters rare MLB company during Phillies game

Max Scherzer unlocked another milestone in his incredible baseball career.

The Toronto Blue Jays veteran pitcher started Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa., and pitched 5 1/3 innings.

It was an up-and-down performance on the mound for the future Baseball Hall of Famer, as he allowed just 2 earned runs on 5 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts. However, he gave up back-to-back home runs to Trea Turner and Bryce Harper in the sixth inning before getting replaced.

But with his punchout count in the contest, the 42-year-old Scherzer climbed up MLB’s all-time strikeouts leaderboard, as he now occupies the 10th spot on the list, according to ESPN Insights.

Scherzer surpassed Walter Johnson, who had 3,515 strikeouts in his career, per Elias Sports Bureau.

Although he no longer has the stuff that made him a three-time Cy Young Award winner and put him on track to make Cooperstown, Scherzer can still flash his vintage form from time to time. 

Notwithstanding the two homers he surrendered to the Phillies, Scherzer appears to be turning things around amid a tough season that saw him hit the injured list twice because of back and forearm issues. He lowered his season ERA from 7.92 to 7.25 following his outing against the Phillies.

The eight-time All-Star Scherzer signed a 1-year, $3 million contract with the Blue Jays in February.