 On October 2 , 1938 , Feller was the starting pitcher against the Detroit Tigers . Detroit 's Hank Greenberg was two home runs short of Babe Ruth 's then @-@ single @-@ season record of 60 home runs . By the ninth inning , Feller had recorded 16 strikeouts , one fewer than the MLB record in a nine @-@ inning game . He tied the record when he struck out Detroit 's Pete Fox and passed it , to set a modern major league record of 18 strikeouts , when he struck out Chet <unk> for the fifth time that day . Greenberg said , " Feller 's curve was jumping wickedly and with that and his fast ball , he was murder . " Feller did not earn a win , however , as the Indians lost , 4 – 1 . " It was one of those days when everything feels perfect , your arm , your coordination , your concentration , everything . There was drama in the air because of Greenberg 's attempt to break Ruth 's record , and the excitement grew even greater when my strikeouts started to add up " , Feller said . For the 1938 season , Feller led all pitchers with 208 walks and 240 strikeouts . In 1939 , Feller received his first career Opening Day start against the Tigers after a match against the Browns was rained out . He won the game 5 – 1 , after allowing three hits . On Mother 's Day , Feller pitched against the Chicago White Sox with his family in attendance . One pitch was fouled off by Marv Owen into the seats and into the face of Feller 's mother ; he went on to win the game . Feller finished the 1939 season having led the AL in wins ( 24 ) , complete games ( 24 ) and innings pitched ( 296 @.@ 2 ) and led the majors for a second consecutive year in both walks ( 142 ) and strikeouts ( 246 ) . 
