Justin Verlander becomes 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 strikeouts as Nationals roll over Giants
The San Francisco Giants pitcher struck out three batters in the opening inning of their 8-0 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday. The third one officially made him just the 10th pitcher in league history to record at least 3,500 strikeouts in his career.
The three-time Cy Young award winner received a big ovation from the crowd at Oracle Park as he closed the inning and slowly walked back to the dugout before tipping his hat.
Verlander is now 10th on MLB's all-time strikeouts list, and just nine away from matching Walter Johnson. Nolan Ryan is the all-time leader with 5,714. Verlander is the active leader in the league, however. Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw are the only other active players in the top 30.
'I was happy to get there, happy to have the moment with the fans,' Verlander said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. 'It's cool. It's a cool milestone, something that I really appreciate what it's taken to get there.'
Despite the historic start, Verlander struggled the rest of the way against the Nationals, a team he was previously unbeaten against in his career. The 42-year-old allowed 11 hits and five runs in his five innings on the mound. The Nationals put up four runs in the second inning alone, thanks to a two-RBI double from James Wood and then a two-run homer from CJ Abrams.
The win was the second-straight for the Nationals, who now sit at 47-70 on the season. The Giants hold a 59-59 record, and are in third in the NL West. Verlander holds just a 1-9 record this year, his first with the Giants, in 20 starts and nearly 100 innings pitched. He signed a one-year, $15 million deal to join the Giants this season after a short run back with the Houston Astros.
San Francisco will be back in action on Tuesday night to kick off a three-game series with the San Diego Padres. Verlander is slated to make his next start on Aug. 16 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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