Scherzer sets record with 20 strikeouts in 3-2 win over Tigers

Right-hander Max Scherzer was determined to bounce back from his worst start of the season at Chicago, a game in which he allowed seven runs.

He certainly did.

On Wednesday, Scherzer (4-2) struck out a career-high and franchise-record 20 batters in the Nationals' 3-2 win over the Tigers.

He is only the fifth pitcher to reach 20 strikeouts in any length of a game in Major League Baseball history.

Scherzer allowed a solo shot to Jose Iglesias in the third and another homer to J.D. Martinez in the ninth.

He finished the complete game allowing six hits, two runs (both earned), no walks and the 20 strikeouts. He tossed 119 pitches with 96 strikes.

He set a career record with 18 strikeouts through eight innings. The 18 strikeouts matched Bill Gullickson from September 10, 1980, for the all-time Expos/Nationals record for strikeouts in a game. It also eclipsed his 17-strikeout performance in his no-hitter of the Mets on October 3, 2015.

Scherzer struck out Miguel Cabrera in the ninth for the record-setting 19th punchout.

Scherzer reached double-digit strikeouts for the 37th time in his career.

Manager Dusty Baker decided to switch Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman in the Nationals lineup against former Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann.

The reason: Murphy's lifetime .328 average against Zimmermann and not that Zimmerman had struggled hitting behind slugger Bryce Harper.

The move paid immediate dividends.

With two men on and one out in the bottom of the first, Murphy laced a single to left and the Nationals led 1-0.

Later, the move paid dividends again.

In the bottom of the sixth, Anthony Rendon singled and Harper walked.

Murphy followed by lofting a single in front of left fielder Justin Upton, scoring Rendon, and the Nationals led 2-1.

Murphy has now recorded more than one hit in four consecutive games. It's also the second time he has done that this season.

Danny Espinosa added an important insurance run with a solo shot off Zimmermann in the seventh.