Open Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Justin Verlander added another memorable chapter to his legendary pitching career Sunday, yet was hardly in the mood to celebrate. Verlander struck out the side in the first inning against the Nationals to become the 10th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,500 career strikeouts. Justin Verlander acknowledges fans in San Francisco after reaching 3,500 career strikeouts. It's right on par, literally almost up and down the board, with [2022] when I won the Cy Young. With 3,503 career strikeouts after Sunday's outing, Verlander trails Walter Johnson by 11 strikeouts for ninth most on the all-time list.