Scherzer retired the first 16 batters he faced and threw seven innings of two-hit ball, striking out 11 in a pitching masterpiece that carried the Washington Nationals past the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Monday night.
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A half-inning after the they tied it, however, the Nats fell behind when Sammy Solis issued a leadoff walk to Addison Russell and gave up a go-ahead by Alberto Almora, Jr., who lined a first-pitch slider to left-center to bring Russell in.
Jason Heyward provided a two-run single for Chicago, which evened the three-game series between division leaders.
Chicago Cubs’ Ben Zobrist (18) steals third as Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) stands during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Washington. He entered Tuesday with a 2.63 ERA and had not lost since May 11 – a 1-0 verdict to the San Diego Padres. Danny Espinosa was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Jerad Eickhoff pitched six shutout innings to improve to 4-8. The Dodgers said the rookie right-hander suffered a contusion and X-rays were negative.
Pederson hit solo homers off Archie Bradley (2-3) and Justin Turner added another.
Standout defensive tackle Fletcher Cox agreed to a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles that could earn him nine figures. Marcus Stroman won for the first time in four starts.
Koehler (5-6) won for the third time in four decisions.
Wilson Ramos led the Nationals offensively, collecting two hits and his 10th home run of the season.
White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton went 4 for 5 with two runs scored, two RBIs, a walk and a stolen base in a 10-9 extra-innings win against the Tigers. Of the eight batters he fanned in the first three frames (the second time he has done that this season), five went down on fastballs, matching Scherzer’s combined total over his previous three starts.
Alcides Esocbar also drove in a run for the Royals, who have won three in a row after an eight-game losing streak.
Tillman (9-1) went seven innings to get the victory. – Texas downed Oakland 10-6.
Joe Mauer had two hits while reaching base for the 25th consecutive game for the AL-worst Twins (20-43).
Detroit at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.
Joakim Soria (3-2) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Kansas City, then proceeded to handle the ninth with setup man Kelvin Herrera and closer Wade Davis resting after having each pitched the last three days.
The first time Hammel took on this Washington team this season, he had a no decision after giving up three runs in five innings of work. Hammel signed December 12, 2014 as a free agent with the Cubs and past year was 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts with the club.
Adam Duvall hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs for the Reds.
The right-hander tossed six innings of scoreless ball, helping the Phils blank the Jays, 7-0, in interleague play on Monday night at the Rogers Centre (see Instant Replay). Huston Street pitched a flawless ninth for his seventh save.
Royals 2, Indians 1: Whit Merrifield’s home run in the fourth inning was enough to push the Royals over the Indians.
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The hit gave Fister four career RBIs, and the first since he had one in 2013 for Detroit. “He jumped on the first pitch”. One of baseball’s top pitching prospects, the sturdy right-hander held NY hitless until Curtis Granderson grounded a leadoff single. The Nats got the win last night with a strong outing from Scherzer but I think the Cubs respond and grab a win here as they get to Gio early and often. Carlos Estevez worked the ninth for his second save.
