Max Scherzer became the second-fastest pitcher in terms of innings to 3,000 career strikeouts and his dominant effort helped the Los Angeles Dodgers complete a sweep of the San Diego Padres behind an 8-0 win.
An expected duel between Scherzer and Blake Snell came to an abrupt end when the Padres starter gestured to the dugout and walked off the mound after delivering a pitch with two outs in the first inning. Snell was later diagnosed with left adductor tightness.
The sudden bullpen game was panning out for the Padres until Corey Seager lifted a solo home run to center field in the fourth inning. Mookie Betts then lined a solo shot to the pavilion in left field for his second homer in as many days.
Max Muncy provided insurance with an RBI double in the seventh inning and Justin Turner then broke the game open with a three-run home run.
That was more than enough for Scherzer as he overpowered the Padres for a second time since being traded to the Dodgers.
Scherzer put together an immaculate inning in the second — the third of his career — and struck out a fourth batter in a row in the third frame. He then hit a drought in terms of strikeouts before getting Eric Hosmer swinging for the second out in the fifth and the 3,000th punchout of his career.
Scherzer had two three-ball counts in the seventh inning before retiring both batters to keep his perfect game intact. Though that came to an end on Hosmer’s one-out double in the eighth inning.
L.A. pushed across two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, and Justin Bruihl took over in the ninth inning and retired the side in order to finish out the sweep.
Scherzer’s record with Dodgers
Now through eight starts for the Dodgers, Scherzer is 6-0 with a 0.88 ERA and 0.67 WHIP.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
