Max Scherzer struck out 12 batters and was magnificent for much of the 7 2/3 innings he pitched. However, the Washington Nationals could not muster enough offense to back their ace, as they open the 2019 season with a 2-0 shutout loss to the New York Mets.
Scherzer’s Stellar Performance Not Enough
Being an ace Scherzer primarily faces the opposing team’s ace. He has a small margin for error. Thursday was no different. A first-inning two-out solo home run by Robinson Cano left the Nationals chasing for the rest of the game.
Scherzer struck out the side in the first and he went on to tact on nine more strikeouts for his 83rd career game with 10 or more strikeouts. He also accomplished a rare feat in the process.
Unfortunately, Scherzer’s outing wasn’t good enough. His counterpart Jacob deGrom was just as effective, pitching six scoreless innings striking out 10 batters with one walk to hold fort through six innings. The Mets bullpen was equally effective the final three frames to blank the Nationals.
Nationals Unable to Execute Runners in Scoring Position
The Nationals had their share of opportunities to change the complexion of the game but failed to do so.
Washington was a collective 1-of-7 with runners in scoring position.
In the first inning, the Nationals had runners on first and second as Trea Turner stole second before the Mets pitched around Juan Soto with two outs. However, Ryan Zimmerman lined out to third to end the inning.
In the third, top prospect Victor Robles led off with a double after being down 0-2 in the count. Adam Eaton singled to move Robles to third with no outs, showing off the potential order turnaround with Robles batting ninth and Eaton lead-off. However, the Nationals failed to move Robles, Turner struck out and Anthony Rendon grounded out into a double play as the Mets got Eaton out at second and Robles caught in a run down at home.
In the sixth, Turner led off a single. Then stole second before Rendon grounded out to short. Then, Turner swiped his third base of the day, stealing third. Unfortunately, Soto struck out swinging on a full count. And Zimmerman followed with a fly out to right to end the inning.
The Nationals would not threaten again the rest of the way.
Game Notes
The Rendon-Soto combo batting at third and cleanup got off to a disappointing start as both combined to go 0-for-7 with two strikeouts and one walk. Soto and Robles did make history in the losing effort.
Turner batting second appears to have no effect on his ability to steal bases. The speedster swiped three bases, as manager Dave Martinez has advised Turner not allow who is batting behind him to affect his aggression on stealing bases.
Cano was huge in his Mets’ debut, driving in both New York’s runs. He added an RBI-single to shallow left off reliever Matt Grace to score Dominic Smith in the eighth. He was the lone Met to collect two hits on the day.
The loss snaps the Nationals’ three-game Opening Day win streak. Their last loss was in 2015 to the Mets at Nats Park much like today. Washington’s bats were cold in clutch situation, an familiar sight of the past. It’s one game, but the National League East is as competitive as ever in recent history. Four of the five teams, including the Nats and Mets, can win the division and every divisional game counts.
