[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "what%20is%20the%20largest%20number%20of%20strike%20outs%20that%20an%20mlb%20pitcher%20has%20ever%20gotten%20in%20an%20mlb%20baseball%20game%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are the records for the most strikeouts by an MLB pitcher in a single game:\n\n---\n\n**Single Game\u2014Any Length (Extra Innings Allowed):**  \nThe highest number of strikeouts by a pitcher in a single MLB game of any length is **21**, achieved by Tom Cheney for the Washington Senators on September 12, 1962 against the Baltimore Orioles. Cheney threw 16 innings that game. ([statmuse.com](https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/mlb-most-strikeouts-by-a-pitcher-in-a-single-game?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n**Single Game\u2014Standard Nine Inning Game:**  \nIn games that last the regulation nine innings, the record is **20 strikeouts**, a feat reached by several pitchers:\n\n- Roger Clemens (twice: April 29, 1986 vs. the Seattle Mariners; September 18, 1996 vs. the Detroit Tigers) ([guinnessworldrecords.com](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75371-most-strikeouts-in-a-major-league-baseball-match?utm_source=openai))  \n- Kerry Wood (May 6, 1998 vs. the Houston Astros) ([guinnessworldrecords.com](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75371-most-strikeouts-in-a-major-league-baseball-match?utm_source=openai))  \n- Randy Johnson (May 8, 2001 vs. the Cincinnati Reds) ([statmuse.com](https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/mlb-most-strikeouts-by-a-pitcher-in-a-single-game?utm_source=openai))  \n- Max Scherzer (May 11, 2016 vs. the Detroit Tigers) ([guinnessworldrecords.com](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/75371-most-strikeouts-in-a-major-league-baseball-match?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nSo, in summary:\n\n- **Most strikeouts ever in an MLB game (extra innings):** 21 (Tom Cheney, 1962)  \n- **Most strikeouts in a single nine-inning MLB game:** 20 (achieved by multiple pitchers)\n\nIf you meant postseason games, relief appearances, or records by rookie pitchers, I can pull those up too."
    }
]