Max Scherzer surpasses 3,000 strikeouts in Dodgers’ 8-0 shutout over the Padres

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers closed out their weekend series with too much Scherzer and offense as they won 8-0 to sweep the Padres. While the offense was certainly appreciated, Sunday was all about Max Scherzer.

He entered the game needing six strikeouts to reach 3000 in his career and all the fans in Dodger Stadium were well aware of that milestone from the first pitch. After getting one strikeout in the first inning, Scherzer pitched an immaculate inning in the second, three strikeouts on nine total pitches.

After the game, Scherzer said he was aware of this potential feat once he got two strikes on Tommy Pham and was glad he got him on a fastball.

After pitching his first non-strikeout inning in the fourth inning, Scherzer struck out Eric Hosmer to get his 3000th strikeout in the fifth inning.

The Dodgers appropriately acknowledged the event on the video screen and he was given a nice ovation by the fans and his teammates when he returned to the dugout.

Scherzer used the word awesome a few times to describe what it was to reach this milestone. “Awesome achievement.. awesome thing to accomplish,” Scherzer said during his postgame media session. In the end, this milestone is a product of durability and all of the hard work Scherzer put in.

Scherzer was able to celebrate after the game with his parent, wife and children. He noted that while his parents have been with him all of the way watching his career, doing this with his wife and kids here was special.

Scherzer was also appreciative when he was informed he joined a smaller fraternity when he got his 3000th strikeout, pitchers with at least three Cy Young Awards and 3000+ strikeouts. “I was not aware of that, that is pretty cool,” Scherzer said when he was told that after the game.

In the end, the only suspense would be to see if Max Scherzer could cap his big day with the ultimate game. And for 22 straight Padre batters, he was perfect.

Then Eric Hosmer doubled to right field to become the first Padre to reach base.

Scherzer then got the last two batters he faced out, the last one on a strikeout by Wil Myers and was warmly greeted by all of his teammates when he returned to the dugout.’

The final line for Scherzer was eight innings pitched, no runs, one hit and nine strikeouts.

Along with Scherzer on the mound, the Dodgers got an equally welcome return by their offense. The scoring began when Corey Seager hit a solo home run off Dinelson Lamet in the fourth inning. Mookie Betts doubled the lead when he led off the fifth inning with a home run to make it 2-0.

In the seventh inning, Gavin Lux reached base for the third time today with his second single. After Scherzer sacrificed him to second, Betts hit a fly ball that eluded Wil Myers glove and body to fall harmlessly on the grass. Betts would get a gift single on that play,

Muncy then doubled to right field score Lux and give the Dodgers a three-run lead. Trea Turner grounded out but after a recorded Russell Westbrook shoutout to make some noise, Justin Turner hit a three-run homer to give the Dodgers a six-run cushion.

The Dodgers would add two more runs in the eighth inning to make it 8-0

Blake Snell injured in the first inning

The bottom of the first inning was looking to be as uneventful as the top part until Blake Snell walked off the mound after making his third pitch to Trea Turner.

It was announced later during the game that Snell left with left abductor tightness.

Right-handed pitcher Nabil Crismatt replaced Snell and gave up a bloop single to Trea Turner. After a stolen base, Justin Turner lined out to Manny Machado to end the first inning.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Corey Seager (9), Mookie Betts (21), Justin Turner (24)

WP — Max Scherzer (14-4): 8 IP, no runs, 1 hit, no walks, 9 strikeouts

LP — Dinelson Lamet (2-4): ⅔ IP, 1 home run, 1 run, 2 walks, 1 strikeout

Up next

Clayton Kershaw will make his first appearance since July 3rd in Washington DC. He will be on the Dodger Stadium mound to start the first game of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.