In his first game since the “Black Eye Game” Washington Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer made quick work of the Miami Marlins. Scherzer overpowered the Marlins for eight innings, striking out 10 with no walks. Meanwhile, he allowed one run off five hits in the 6-1 win.
Scherzer has now won five consecutive games. The Nats have settled down with him on the mound after starting off with a 2-10 record in his first 12 starts. However, Scherzer has dug in stretching late games to help alleviate the pressure from MLB’s worst bullpen.
The eighth inning has been the point of emphasis for the Nationals. They entered Tuesday’s game with a ballooned ERA of 7.6 in the eighth inning in large due to the team struggling with holding leads with its bullpen.
Sporting the last traces of his black eye he suffered last Tuesday when he popped a bunt into his face during batting practice, Scherzer did what he does more consistently than any other pitcher in baseball — dominate the strike zone.
Of his 94 pitches, 71 went for strikes. He had 21 first-pitches strikes against the 29 batters he faced. Scherzer also lowered his ERA to 2.52 which is now fourth-lowest by qualified pitchers in MLB this season.
Nationals Bats Stay Warm in Florida
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Nationals offense has been on a tear through the month of June. Entering Tuesday’s game, Washington was hitting a season-high .265/.332/.486 in the month of June with 35 home runs.
They got one more Tuesday against Miami when Trea Turner lifted a three-run blast in the fourth inning that extended the Nationals’ lead to 6-0.
Juan Soto got the scoring started in the third as he hit a two-run single down the third base line. Howie Kendrick knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice for a three-run third.
It was the first time this season that Marlins’ starter Trevor Richards given up a home run since May 28. The six runs he allowed were the most he had given up this season.
Fernando Rodney Makes Nats Debut
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Scherzer exited with a five-run lead, Nationals manager Davey Martinez turned to 42-year old Fernando Rodney, who the Nationals called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Fresno.
Rodney got off to a rocky start walking Brad Anderson to lead off the ninth with four straight balls after starting the count 0-2. But then he Luis Castro to strikeout swinging on three pitches.
Then after throwing seven straight fastballs, one topping at 96 mph, Rodney threw a change-up that Walker grounded into a double play to end the game.
Rodney showed flashes of being able to throw strikes rebounding after the walk. It’s something that relievers, specifically Trevor Rosenthal and Joe Ross, have not been able to do for the Nationals all season.
It was one outing, but certainly there was a lot to be intrigued about for Rodney moving forward as Washington hopes with him and Jonny Venters can help extinguish their bullpen woes.
