For the third time in his career, Max Scherzer has been named Pitcher of the Month, MLB announced Monday, earning the distinction for the National League for June.
Last month, Scherzer led the Majors in ERA (0.99), batting average against (.114) and opposing OPS (.382), ranked second in expected weighted on-base average (.205, min. 500 pitches thrown), per Statcast™, and third in strikeouts (51). He gave up just 14 hits and walked six in five starts spanning 36 1/3 innings.
On June 21 against the Marlins, Scherzer came within five outs of becoming just the fifth player to throw three career no-hitters, but eventually lost the bid on an infield dribbler by A.J. Ellis that bounced off his glove.
In his next start, on Tuesday against the Cubs, the right-hander notched as many hits (two) at the plate as he allowed (two) in six innings, and retired the last 10 batters he faced.
Scherzer was previously named Pitcher of the Month for the NL in both May and June of 2015.
On Sunday, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner was selected as an All-Star for the fifth straight season, and figures to be a strong contender to start for the NL.