Nationals' DJ Herz Strikes Out 13 Batters Today, Achieves Second-Highest Rookie Strikeout Percentage at 68.4%

Jun 15, 2024, 09:48 PM

DJ Herz of the Washington Nationals struck out 13 of the 19 batters he faced today, achieving a 68.4% strikeout percentage. This is the second-highest strikeout percentage by any MLB rookie in a game in the modern era, behind only Kerry Wood's 69.0% in his 20-strikeout game on May 6, 1998. Herz's 13 strikeouts are the most by a Nationals pitcher this season and the most since Max Scherzer struck out 14 on May 8, 2021, against the New York Yankees. Herz joins an elite list of pitchers, including Clayton Kershaw and Greg Maddux, who have recorded 13+ strikeouts on fewer than 85 pitches since 1988. Additionally, Herz is one of only two MLB pitchers, along with Stephen Strasburg, to have 13+ strikeouts and 0 walks within their first three career outings since at least 1901.