Around the Horn: Max Scherzer joins elite group with strikeout milestone

Max Scherzer of Washington got his 200^th strikeout of the season on Wednesday. He becomes only the fourth active pitcher with 200 or more in five straight seasons. Who are the other three? Answer at end of these notes…. Toronto’s J.A. Happ is only the fourth Blue Jays pitcher to start the season at least 16-3 or better. The others: David Wells, Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay…. Houston’s Jose Altuve has seven four-hit games this season, setting the Astros’ all-time record…. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Adrian Beltre has a .396 average in Denver’s Coors Field, the highest batting average by a player with 200-plus at-bats in one venue since Ted Williams hit .399 at St. Louis’ Sportsman’s Park…. Texas first baseman Prince Fielder, on what prompted his decision to give up baseball: “When I did tests at the doctor’s office, he asked me to walk a straight line, and I couldn’t do it. I did it, but it was too much brain involved to walk a straight line. The doctor said, ‘I think you need surgery, and I wouldn’t advise you to play again. I wouldn’t let you play again.’ Fielder said he went home and dreaded telling his two sons that he would have to stop playing. “I came home and told them what the doctor said…. They said, ‘It’s all right, Dad.’ They didn’t even break stride from video games.”… The Giants are 9-5 lifetime when Madison Bumgarner pitches a complete game. When Clayton Kershaw pitches a complete game, the Dodgers are 23-1…. The top 10 free agents (ranked by earning potential) this off-season, according to mlbtraderumors.com: 1. Yoenis Cespedes 2. Edwin Encarancion 3. Josh Reddick 4. Aroldis Chapman 5. Kenley Jansen 6. Ian Desmond 7. Jose Bautista 8. Wilson Ramos 9. Mark Trumbo 10. Dexter Fowler…. Since the All-Star break, Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton is hitting .302 with a .374 on-base percentage and 26 stolen bases in 24 games…. Texas has won five games this season when trailing in the ninth inning, the most in baseball. The Angels, Royals and Mariners are tied for second with four each…. Answer: Felix Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander.

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