Max Scherzer/ MLB Photo
The top performance in Major League Baseball this week was by Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals.
Scherzer tossed his second no-hitter of the season on Saturday, Oct. 3. The victim this time was the New York Mets. The right-hander threw 109 pitches and fanned a career-high 17 batters as he allowed only one base runner who reached on an error. With the 17 strikeouts, Scherzer tied Nolan Ryan for the most in a no-hitter.
The 2013 Cy Young Award winner became the sixth pitcher to have a pair of no-hitters in the same season joining Johnny Vander Meer (1938), Allie Reynolds (1951), Virgil Trucks (1952), Ryan (1973) and Roy Halladay (2010). Halladay is the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter during the regular season and in the playoffs.
The three-time all-star’s first no-hitter this season was in a 6-0 decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, June 20. He also had a one-hitter at Milwaukee on Sunday, June 14. He had 16 strikeouts in the 4-0 won over the Brewers, while allowing one walk.
In his first season with the Nationals, the 30-year old finished with a 14-12 record with career-best ERA of 2.79. In eight years, Scherzer is 105-69 with an ERA of 3.46.