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Washington Nationals: Scherzer Leads Nats To Sweep Of D’Backs

By Ricky Keeler

Aug 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer throws in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer throws in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Max Scherzer struck out 11 and had a two-run single as the Washington Nationals beat the Diamondbacks 8-3 to finish the three-game sweep.

On the final game of their nine game road trip, the Washington Nationals (64-44) got a great all-around game from Max Scherzer. Scherzer helped himself with a two-run single that ended up being the game-winning hit and he struck out 11 as the Nats beat the Arizona Diamondbacks (43-65) 8-3 to finish the three game sweep and they end the West Coast trip with a 6-3 record.

It was the Washington Nationals who got on the board first in the top of the third inning. On a 3-1 count, Trea Turner crushed a pitch from Zack Godley over the wall in left center for a solo home run. Turner’s first home run of the season gave the Nats a 1-0 lead.

Arizona would tie the game two innings later against Scherzer. David Peralta led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Peralta’s double was the first hit of the day against Scherzer. Two batters later, Brandon Drury drove in Peralta with a bloop single to right that went off the glove of a sliding Bryce Harper.

But, the Washington Nationals would get that run back immediately. With one out in the top of the sixth, Daniel Murphy put the Nats in front, 2-1, with a solo home run to right, his 21st of the season.

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Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Scherzer helped his own cause with a two-run single to center, which increased the lead to 4-1. The sixth inning would be the last inning Godley would throw in the game. He gave up four runs on eight hits, struck out seven, and walked one on 101 pitches (66 strikes) in the loss.

The Diamondbacks would cut the deficit to one in the next two innings with a pair of solo home runs against Scherzer. In the bottom of the sixth, Jake Lamb hit a solo home run to right center for his 23rd home run of the season. One inning later, Yasmany Tomas cut the lead to 4-3 with his 19th home run of the season and his second in as many days.

After the home run, Scherzer retired the final five batters he faced, including three strikeouts. The right-hander went eight innings, gave up three runs on four hits, struck out 11, and walked one on 103 pitches (68 strikes) as he picked up his 12th win of the season.

In the ninth, the Washington Nationals broke the game open against the Diamondbacks bullpen. After a Murphy infield single and an Anthony Rendon walk, Danny Expinosa hit a ground-rule double to right to make the score 5-3.

Two batters later, after an intentional walk to Wilmer Difo, Pedro Severino was walked with the bases loaded to drive in another run. Both runs came against Jake Barrett. Then, with Evan Marshall in the game, pinch-hitter Clint Robinson singled up the middle to drive in two and put the Washington Nationals up by five.

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For the second straight appearance, Mark Melancon came in during a non-save situation. Melancon did give up a two-out double to Peralta and he threw a wild pitch, but he struck Tomas out swinging to end the game.

Next Game: After a day off tomorrow, the Washington Nationals will be back home Friday night when they begin a three game series against the San Francisco Giants (61-45). You can watch the game on MASN, WUSA9, or MLB Network at 7:05 p.m ET. Jeff Samardzija (9-7, 4.30 ERA) will start for the Giants against a starter still to be determined for the Nats.

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