June 6, 2017

Max Scherzer pitched 7 strong innings to improve his record to 7-3, as the Nationals defeated the Dodgers 2-1 on Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine.

Scherzer allowed just one run on three hits while striking out 14 Dodgers, during a spectacular 105-pitch performance.

Oliver Perez pitched a scoreless 8th inning, while Koda Glover recorded his 8th save of the season after pitching the 9th inning.

Glover allowed a one out single to Chris Taylor, who stole 2nd after Logan Forsythe flied out.  However, Yasiel Puig struck out swinging to end the game.

Puig and Glover exchanged words after the final out, but the war or words was quickly broken up by their teammates, some of whom poured out of the dugout.

Brandon McCarthy (5-3) took the loss despite pitching well.  He also went 7 innings in an efficient 87-pitch effort.  He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits.  He struck out 4 and walked 2.  Pedro Baez, Grant Dayton, and Chris Hatcher combined to pitch the final two shutout innings, allowing just one hit in that stretch.

The Nationals two runs came on a pair of sac flys.  Bryce Harper had one in the 1st inning to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead, and Daniel Murphy would add another in the 4th for the decisive run.

The Dodgers’ only run came on an RBI single from Adrian Gonzales in the 1st inning.  That scored, Chase Utley, but it was only one of four hits on the night for LA.

The Boys In Blue left 7 men on base, and were just 1-10 with runners in scoring position on the evening.

The Dodgers will try to avoid the sweep on Wednesday afternoon in what will be a star-studded pitching matchup at the Ravine.  Clayton Kershaw (7-2, 2.28 ERA) gets the ball for LA, while the Nationals counter with Stephen Strasberg (7-1, 2.91 ERA).