Max Scherzer continued to dominate the National League as he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs (25-21) Tuesday night. Scherzer got a little help from Bryce Harper, and the Washington Nationals (28-19) completed the shutout 3-0 to win the three-game series.
Scherzer (W: 6-3, 1.51 ERA) allowed only five hits and one walk, but he struck out an amazing total of 13 of the 21 outs he recorded, including striking out the side in the sixth. MLB.com's John Jackson and Carrie Muskat remind us that the total of 13 strikeouts is just two shy of Scherzer's career high.
CSN Chicago's Cubs announcer Len Kasper said during the game that Scherzer has a 1.25 ERA in his three losses; the right-hander could very easily have a 9-0 record at this point.
Jon Lester (L: (4-3, 3.30) took the tough-luck loss as he pitched a terrific game himself. Lester allowed two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings while allowing seven hits and walking two. He struck out 10, and after a rough start to the season, he is now pitching like the ace the Cubs signed to a six-year contract during the offseason. Jackson and Muskat quoted the lefty discussing the loss and the great performance of his mound opponent. Said Lester,
"Max threw the ball just a little bit better than I did. Obviously, we lost, and that's not the ultimate goal, but if you're a pitcher or just a purist of the game and like watching pitching matchups, that was fun tonight. That's what it lived up to be."
With the Nationals leading 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Harper lined a solo home run (18) off Lester into the left-field bleachers. This time, he did not need the wind, and he knew he got it -- unlike he did on Tuesday night's home run.
Harper leads the National League in home runs.
The Nationals scored first in the top of the fourth on a throwing error from Cubs second baseman Addison Russell. Ryan Zimmerman grounded to short for an apparent double play, but Russell's throw skipped past first baseman Anthony Rizzo, allowing Yunel Escobar, who started the play on second base, to score the unearned run. Washington got an insurance run in the ninth on Danny Espinosa's solo home run (6) off Travis Wood.
The Cubs threatened in the eight by putting two on with nobody out. However, Casey Janssen got out of the jam with a pop up and some stellar defense of his own to keep the Cubs from scoring. Drew Storen (S: 16) worked around a hit in the ninth to save it for the Nationals.
Both teams have Thursday off. Beginning Friday, the Cubs welcome the Kansas City Royals to Wrigley Field while Washington visits the Cincinnati Reds.
