Max Scherzer’s 2021 season didn’t start the way he liked. Through the first three innings of their season opener, the Washington Nationals ace yielded four home runs by the Atlanta Braves, including two by Ronald Acuna Jr.
In fact, Scherzer first pitch of the season was tattooed by Acuna to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. Scherzer gave up a second homer in the first via NL MVP Freddie Freeman.
The two early blasts continued a rough trend for Scherzer.
Dansby Swanson hit home run number three in the second inning. In a blink Scherzer and the Nationals were down 3-0.
Then in the third, Acuna struck again, going long to center. By then the Nationals had chipped into the deficit, yet Acuna’s blast gave Atlanta a 4-2 lead.
Fortunately, Scherzer settled down. He struck out nine and kept the damage to minimal, allowing the Nationals to chip away. When he left the mound for the day, the Nationals had rallied to tie the game at 4-4.
Scherzer finished the Opening Day start with allowing four earned runs and five hits on 91 pitches in six innings.
His team had his back, after trading runs. The Nationals picked up the win, as Juan Soto hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth on a 3-0 pitch count.
