Max Scherzer Was Annoyed He Got Gifted a Strikeout by the Pitch Clock

He’s the ultimate competitor.

Even among the typically intense cohort of major league pitchers, Max Scherzer stands out as the most intensely competitive. Off the field, he’s a kind soul who devotes his time to animal charities. On the field, he’s terrifying. This is a guy who once took the mound with a broken nose and his face covered in bruises after a batting practice accident. 

Scherzer is so competitive that he got ticked off on Monday when he got a strikeout without having to work for it. 

In the first inning of his start against the Angels, Scherzer got ahead in the count on Brandon Drury, 1–2. But when Drury wasn’t ready in the box as the pitch clock hit eight seconds, he was charged with an automatic strike, and thus an inning-ending strikeout.  

Scherzer wasn’t too pleased. 

Scherzer exasperatedly tossed his hands in the air and then flipped the ball over his shoulder dismissively as he walked off the mound. 

Put yourself in his shoes. He’s on the mound gearing up to throw a big pitch that can ensure a one-two-three first inning in the middle of a heated division race. Then all of a sudden the umpire says, “Never mind, he’s out.” It’s a strange and frustrating circumstance for any pitcher—especially one who’s previously complained about the pitch clock.