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Reaction: Big First Inning Helps Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals Win 7th Straight

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) slides safely into home past Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Scherzer Has Best Start Of Season

Coming into last night, Max Scherzer was coming off a little bit of a rough outing against the Braves. While he did get his first win, he had some rough patches in his start. Last night, he looked like an ace as he took advantage of that great start the offense gave him and was able to shut down the Phillies’ offense for the most of the night.

The right-hander went seven innings for the second time this season, gave up one run on five hits, struck out seven, and walked one on 108 pitches (72 strikes). He ran into some early trouble in the first inning, but was able to get Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf to pop out to get out of any trouble.

The only other jam that Scherzer got into was in the fifth. After Cameron Rupp hit a fastball over the wall in left, Emmanuel Burriss (former National) would triple to dead center with two outs. However, Scherzer got Cesar Hernandez to pop out to Anthony Rendon to end the inning and prevent any more runs from scoring.

In the top of that inning, Scherzer even helped himself at the plate with a two-run double to drive in Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa.

According to Brooks Baseball, Scherzer’s four-seam fastball was on point as he threw it for strikes over 70 percent of the time. Plus, he threw 15 of his 19 sliders for strikes. Out of the seven strikeouts he had, five out of the seven were either a four-seamer or a changeup.

In addition to Scherzer keeping up his undefeated record as a Nats pitcher at Citizens Bank Park (2-0 in three starts), he keeps the great trend going for Nats starting pitchers this season. So far, Nats’ starters are 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA (best in baseball).

Next: Harper's Hot Surge Continues

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