on may 6, scherzer emerged as the first pitcher in major league history to produce 15 strikeouts in one game in innings (19 outs) or fewer, doing so versus the philadelphia phillies. twelve consecutive outs occurred vía strikeout, including striking out the side in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. it was the second-longest such streak in major league history, his fifth career 15-strikeout game, and the 69th with at least 10. he made his following start versus the arizona diamondbacks, where he struck out 11 batters and hit an rbi double for the go-ahead run in the fourth inning that furnished a 3–1 nationals victory. in a may 19 start versus the dodgers, scherzer struck out 13, including dispatching his 100th of the season in 63 innings. it eclipsed kerry wood's record for fewest innings to reach 100 strikeouts with realized in 2001. still, the nationals lost the game, 4–5, off a blown save by sean doolittle.