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Washington Nationals Shut Out In Murphy’s Return To New York

By Ricky Keeler

May 17, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) acknowledges the crowd before taking on the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) acknowledges the crowd before taking on the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
May 17, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after giving up a solo home run to New York Mets left fielder Michael Conforto (30) during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Scherzer Pitches Well Despite Two Home Runs

Even though Scherzer put up a quality outing last night against the Mets, the storyline continues to be the amount of home runs he has given up this season. With the two home runs he gave up, the Nats’ right-hander has given up a league leading 13 home runs and eight in the last three games.

In the first inning, Curtis Granderson swung at a first pitch fastball and hit it over the wall for a solo home run. Usually, Granderson likes to work the count, but he hit a first pitch home run for the second consecutive game.

Then, in the third inning, he struggled with his location against Michael Conforto and the Mets’ left fielder made him pay by hitting a 2-2 slider over the wall in right for a solo home run. Conforto drew a four-pitch walk against him in the first inning.

While Scherzer giving up home runs still remains a concern, give him credit for at least keeping the team in the game as he seemed to find his rhythm after the second home run. He went 6.1 innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out ten, and walked three on 98 pitches (62 strikes).

It did surprise me that Scherzer came out of the game after 98 pitches and did not face pinch-hitter Alejandro de Aza and Matt Reynolds (in for David Wright). But, I understood that after throwing 119 pitches in his last outing, he wasn’t going to throw that many pitches this time.

Considering he was facing a Mets lineup that was without Wright and Lucas Duda, I thought Scherzer put up a great outing. But, in the end, the Nationals could not give him any run support and he took the hard luck loss.

Next: Missed Opportunities In 2nd and 6th Innings

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