Scherzer passes 2 Hall of Famers for 27th on all-time K list

With his strikeout of Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Adam Jones in the sixth inning of Friday's game, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer recorded the 2,584th punch out of his career.

The strikeout moved Scherzer into sole possession of 27th place on the all-time strikeout list, passing Hall of Famer Warren Spahn in the process. An inning earlier, he passed Bob Feller - also in Cooperstown - when he notched No. 2,582.

Scherzer's reached his place on the list in just his 12th major-league season. He trails Tom Glavine (2,607), Chuck Finley (2,610), and David Cone (2,668) by less than 100 strikeouts apiece.

Barring injury, the three-time Cy Young winner should easily surpass them in 2019.

The 34-year-old has led the National League in strikeouts for three straight seasons, punching out exactly 300 in 2018 with a 12.2 K/9 and could repeat this feat again. Entering Friday, Mad Max had a K/9 of 12.3 through 14 starts.