Juan Soto photo by LegNats for TalkNats
The Nationals almost had a 4-to-0 shutout which was spoiled by two weak hits and a line drive, and most importantly the Nationals won the game behind a strong 8 inning performance by Max Scherzer and a Matt Adams home run, 2 runs scored by rookie Juan Soto and Wilmer Difo‘s triple. The Nationals only managed 4-hits in this game while the top of the order were a combined 0-fer, and all of the offense came from the bottom of the Nats order just like the Nationals last win on Saturday.
While Wilson Ramos returned to a rousing applause, he was kept off the bases all night and was a doubleplay and strikeout victim in the game. Max Scherzer had a 13 strikeout night and had an immaculate inning which was the second of his illustrious career.
From ESPN
Scherzer was one pitch away from a shutout and pinch-hitter Brad Miller smoked a liner over Michael Taylor‘s glove for a 2-run double to spoil the shutout however the win was achieved and Scherzer improved to 10-1 on a 99-pitch 8-inning gem.
“You always search for things that didn’t go quite as well as planned,” Max Scherzer discussed in his continual improvement. “You have to be prepared. Sevi and I have been getting on a good page. We’re on the same page right now. We are playing great team baseball.”
This is a two-game series and from the heavy workload over the weekend, Max Scherzer allowed everyone to rest except for Ryan Madson who warmed-up and Sean Doolittle who earned his 15th save of the season.
“To see him every fifth day, he’s the best,” manager Dave Martinez said about Max Scherzer.
Late in a game when your pitcher is tiring, you have to position in the outfield to not allow a ball over your head. Here was the ball over Taylor’s head that did not even reach the dirt on the warning track. A bloop single costs you a run — a double costs you two-runs.
