MLBBy Matt Clapp on

It certainly wasn’t as neat as when Kerry Wood, Randy Johnson, Max Scherzer, and Roger Clemens struck out 20 batters, but the Boston Red Sox tied the MLB record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game after five of their pitchers combined to strike out 20 Texas Rangers on Thursday night at Fenway Park.

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz started the game for Boston and struck out 11 batters over five innings. He was followed by relievers Heath Hembree (2/3 IP, 2 strikeouts), Robby Scott (1/3 IP, 1 strikeout), Matt Barnes (1 IP, 2 strikeouts), and Craig Kimbrel (1 IP, 4 strikeouts).

Yes, Kimbrel struck out four batters in the ninth inning, as the Rangers’ Nomar Mazara reached base on a strikeout due to a wild pitch.

Here are all 20 strikeouts, in 20 seconds:

And Kimbrel’s four strikeouts:

FanGraphs’ Jeff Sullivan wrote earlier this week how Craig Kimbrel is “basically perfect again”, and you get a pretty good idea why with that inning. The 28-year-old has struck out 40 batters in 20 innings this year, while only allowing two earned runs (0.87 ERA), six hits, and two walks. That’s complete dominance.

And obviously I have to share highlights of the 20-strikeout performances Wood (arguably the best game ever pitched; video of the full broadcast), Clemens, Johnson, and Scherzer had:

[MLB]

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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