Max Scherzer hit 3,000 career strikeouts and carried the perfect game into the eighth inning to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 8-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Sunday and sweep the three-game series.
Scherzer retired his first 22 foes until Eric Hosmer doubled into deep right field with one out in the eighth inning. The 52,637 fans gave Scherzer a standing ovation at the conclusion of the episode.
The 37-year-old right-hander reached 3,000 career strikeouts by fanning Hosmer in the fifth inning.
Scherzer finished with nine strikeouts among his 92 pitches. The three-time Cy Young Award winner also had an immaculate tackle, striking out all three enemies he faced in the second inning with nine pitches.
The Dodgers stayed 2 1/2 games behind San Francisco in the fight for the lead in the NL West.
In a hard blow, San Diego starter Blake Snell left the game after 11 pitches with a left arm injury. The Padres used seven pitchers.
Corey Seager and Mookie Betts hit solo homers and Justin Turner added a three-run dash to back Scherzer (14-4).
Seager blew the wall with two out in the fourth inning off Dinelson Lamet (2-4). Betts followed with his board in the fifth inning against Pierce Johnson.