This week in Major League Baseball brought a historic pitching milestone, jaw-dropping home runs, and some wild late-inning drama. Headlining the chaos, Justin Verlander carved out an even bigger spot in the record books by passing the legendary Walter Johnson on the all-time strikeout list.
All over the league, hitters launched tape-measure shots. Teams pulled off comebacks that looked impossible. Playoff races? They’re tightening, and it’s getting tense. Here’s a quick rundown of the key moments from a jam-packed day in the MLB.
Justin Verlander Moves Into Ninth on MLB’s All-Time Strikeout List
The veteran ace keeps proving that age doesn’t have to slow you down. On Tuesday night, 42-year-old Justin Verlander notched his justin-verlander-joins-elite-3500-strikeout-club-as-10th-pitcher/”>3,516th career strikeout, pushing past Hall of Famer Walter Johnson for sole possession of ninth place on MLB’s all-time strikeout leaderboard.
He finished his outing with 3,520 strikeouts after six strong innings against the Cubs, giving up just two runs as the Giants grabbed the win. Verlander now needs only 14 more strikeouts to tie Gaylord Perry for eighth all-time, and honestly, that feels like it could happen any week now.
The Elias Sports Bureau, which MLB relies on for stats, credits Johnson with 3,515 strikeouts—so Verlander’s leap is official. It’s one of those moments that just feels bigger than the numbers.
The Race for the Top 10
Verlander isn’t the only active pitcher chasing history. Max Scherzer currently sits in 11th place with 3,468 strikeouts, just 48 away from cracking the top 10 himself.
Baseball fans might get to watch two future Hall of Famers climb the all-time list side by side before the season wraps up. That’s pretty special, right?
Home Run Power Steals the Spotlight
Verlander’s strikeout milestone grabbed the headlines, but some hitters had their own ideas about stealing the show. Power was on full display all over the league.
Riley Greene’s Towering Grand Slam
Detroit outfielder Riley Greene launched a 471-foot grand slam over the batter’s eye—easily one of the longest home runs of the season. The blast showed off Greene’s raw power, though the Tigers still lost to the Oakland Athletics in extra innings.
Giancarlo Stanton Lifts Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton stayed hot, driving in all five runs in the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Nationals. He included a home run in his big night, bumping his slugging percentage to a wild .663. It’s safe to say he’s back among the most dangerous hitters in the game.
George Springer’s Big Night Overshadowed
In Kansas City, George Springer homered twice for the Blue Jays, keeping up one of the best stretches of his career. Unfortunately for Toronto, the Twins pulled off a late rally and stole the game in the ninth inning.
Dramatic Ninth-Inning Finishes
The final moments of Tuesday’s games brought some of the wildest thrills, as several teams pulled off game-changing rallies.
Mets Walk Off Phillies
The New York Mets improved to 6-2 against the division-rival Phillies this year with a dramatic ninth-inning walk-off. That rally just shows the Mets can deliver in clutch moments—something every postseason hopeful needs.
Padres and Braves Deliver Late Fireworks
In San Diego, Ramon Laureano smashed a grand slam, blowing the game open and leading the Padres to a convincing win. Meanwhile in Miami, the Atlanta Braves exploded for nine runs in the ninth inning, absolutely crushing the Marlins 11-2.
Why This Day Will Be Remembered
Milestones, mammoth home runs, and clutch performances—Tuesday had all three. Justin Verlander kept climbing toward strikeout immortality, reminding everyone why he’s among the best pitchers in modern baseball.
Stanton, Greene, and Springer put on a power display too. The long ball can flip a game on its head in a heartbeat, and they proved it once again.
For baseball historians, this date stands out. It’s a snapshot of balance—a day when dominant pitching and explosive offense both grabbed the spotlight.
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Here is the source article for this story: Last Night in Baseball: Justin Verlander Makes Strikeout History Against Cubs
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