Tigers’ Scherzer first to start 10-0 since 1997
Max Scherzer improved to 10-0 and struck out 10, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer and the Detroit Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Monday night.
Scherzer became the first pitcher to begin a season 10-0 with all decisions coming in starts since Roger Clemens went 11-0 for Toronto in 1997, according to STATS. Scherzer is the second pitcher in Detroit history to start this strong since 1909, when George Mullin was 11-0 with one victory as a reliever, the Elias Sports Bureau said in information provided by the Tigers.
Scherzer allowed one run and seven hits in six innings. Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 24th homer in the second, but struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth and the Orioles down by two runs. Jake Arrieta (1-2) allowed five hits on 10 hits in 4 2-3 innings.
With two on and none out in the fifth, Arrieta struck out Cabrera on a wild pitch that allowed two runners to get into scoring position. Victor Martinez hit a sacrifice fly and Jhonny Peralta’s RBI single gave Detroit a four-run cushion in the fifth, chasing Arrieta.
Scherzer’s start ended after finishing off the sixth inning with two strikeouts, giving him at least 10 in a game for the fifth time this year. He’s the first pitcher to have at least six strikeouts in his first 14 starts in a season since Boston’s Pedro Martinez in 2001, according to STATS.
Kansas City 2, Cleveland 1: Pinch-runner Elliot Johnson scored from third base on a wild pitch by reliever Matt Albers in the ninth inning, giving the Kansas City Royals a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Philadelphia 5, Washington 4: Domonic Brown hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 5-4.