Jacob deGrom Reaches 2,000 Strikeouts as Rangers Shut Out Nationals

ARLINGTON — Jacob deGrom reached another historic milestone Thursday night, becoming the latest pitcher to join Major League Baseball’s 2,000-strikeout club.

DeGrom reached the mark in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Globe Life Field. He opened the game by striking out Daylen Lile and former Texas farmhand Abimelec Ortiz on swinging strikes, finally reaching the milestone after coming close in his previous two starts.

The Rangers ace finished the night with 10 strikeouts, matching his season high. He allowed just one hit while throwing six scoreless innings as Texas defeated Washington, 2-0.

DeGrom reached 2,000 career strikeouts in 272 games and 1,661 innings. He is the second-fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone by games played, trailing only Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, who did it in 262 games. By innings pitched, deGrom ranks behind Chris Sale, who reached 2,000 strikeouts in 1,626 innings.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, deGrom is the 95th pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,000 career strikeouts. He is also the ninth active pitcher to achieve the feat and the second this season after Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola reached the mark on Aug. 8.

DeGrom is the third pitcher in Texas Rangers history since 1972 to record his 2,000th career strikeout while wearing a Rangers uniform. He joins Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and Cole Hamels on that list.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker praised deGrom as one of the best pitchers he has ever seen and emphasized how important his performances will be during the final stretch of the season as Texas pushes for a postseason spot.