Max Scherzer allowed a game-tying home run to pinch hitter Keon Broxton in the fifth inning.
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The Washington Nationals signed Max Scherzer for times like these – with the club mired in a five-game losing streak and reeling from a second consecutive one-run defeat.
Scherzer was fairly dominant last night.
Although he had to settle for a no-decision last time out at San Diego, Scherzer continued his string of dominant outings by striking out 10 batters while allowing one run on four hits. “I thought we did a really nice job against him”. Keon Broxton tied things up with his first Major League Baseball homer in the fifth before Nieuwenhuis took Max Scherzer deep in the sixth to put the Brewers in front. And then in the sixth inning, the esteemed Kirk Nieuwenhuis belted a Prince Fielder-esque two-run shot to right-center to give the Brewers the lead. Scherzer was clearly frustrated afterward, and it would only grow the following inning. It was hard labor at times especially for Scherzer, who had thrown a one-hit, 16-strikeout gem in this building last June. But if he can’t keep the ball in the park, then he will be somewhat of a liability on the mound (well, as much of a liability as a former Cy Young victor with a WHIP of 1.00 can be). The Nationals had three runs from nine hits and no errors.
Oh man, is the Buffalo balling at the plate right now. Daniel Murphy has burst out this year with 95 hits, 41 runs, 12 homers and 48 RBI. He’s never yielded more than 29 in a single season, but if he continues at this pace, it looks like that could change pretty soon.
Ramos extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 4 for 5 with three singles and a double. “You add that to a very good curveball and a changeup; he’s throwing the ball very well”.
The Nationals are one of Garza’s least favorite opponents.
Brewers starter Zach Davies worked around base runners in both the first and the second before being stung in the third.
Carlos Torres (1-1) and Will Smith pitched a 1-2-3 sixth and seventh out of the Brewers’ bullpen before Tyler Thornburg got himself into trouble in the eighth by hitting Murphy and giving up a double to Ramos. And then after an Anthony Rendon walk loaded the bases, Danny Espinosa went down hacking on four pitches, as well. The little things in the big spots are why the Nats have lost six straight.
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With the loss, the Nationals are now 43-31 on the season and lead the Mets by 3 games in the NL East. However, the Nats probably do need to grab these next two games.
