The future Hall of Famer began his afternoon by striking out James Wood swinging with an elevated 95.3 mph four-seam fastball. He followed up by punching out CJ Abrams swinging with a down-and-in slider that dropped off the table, bringing him one strikeout away from history.

CJ Abrams homered and the Nationals spoiled a milestone achievement by San Francisco’s Justin Verlander as Washington beat the Giants 8-0.

Justin Verlander tossed the 3,500th strikeout of his career in the San Francisco Giants' showdown with the Washington Nationals on Sunday, becoming the 10th pitcher in MLB history to hit the mark.