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Washington Nationals: Wild Third Inning Hurts Scherzer In Loss To Cardinals

By Ricky Keeler

May 27, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cardinals scored five runs in the third against Max Scherzer as the Washington Nationals lost 6-2.

Tonight, the Washington Nationals lost the second game of their four game series to the St. Louis Cardinals by a final of 6-2. The Cardinals were able to score five of their six runs in the top of the third against Max Scherzer and they made enough plays in the field to keep the Nats from mounting a big comeback.

In that third inning, Scherzer gave up a single to the opposing pitcher (Jaime Garcia), walked Greg Garcia, and allowed a single to Aledmys Diaz with one out. Then, Scherzer walked Matt Holliday after getting ahead 0-2 in the count to put St. Louis in front, 1-0.

The next batter was Stephen Piscotty, who ended up taking a 0-1 slider from Scherzer over the wall in left field for a grand slam (his sixth home run of the year) to put the Cardinals up 5-0. The Nats’ right-hander walked four batters in the first three innings and ended up walking four batters in a game for the second time this season.

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After that inning, Scherzer retired the last 14 batters he faced, but the damage was already done. He went seven innings, gave up five runs on three hits, and struck out six in addition to the four walks. He threw 92 pitches (63 strikes) in the loss.

The Washington Nationals scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth against Garcia. Danny Espinosa led off the inning with a solo home run to left. It was Espinosa’s fifth home run of the season, his third against the Cardinals this year, and his second in as many games.

One inning later, the Nats threatened a comeback against Garcia when Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy led off the inning with singles. But, Greg Garcia robbed Ryan Zimmerman of a base hit and ended up turning a 5-4-3 double play. But, Harper scored on the play to cut the deficit to 5-2.

However, the two runs would not be enough as the Washington Nationals went 1-for-7 as a team with runners in scoring position against Garcia (1-for-10 for the game). The Cardinals left-hander went seven innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out four, and walked one on 92 pitches (60 strikes) in the win.

Yusmeiro Petit came in the game for the Nats in the eighth and the Cardinals added another insurance run against him. Garcia led off the inning by hitting a solo home run to left center. His second home run of the season extended the Cardinals’ lead to 6-2.

Next: Reaction: Ross, Harper Bounce Back In Win Over Cards

Next Game: The Washington Nationals (29-20) will take on the St. Louis Cardinals (25-24) tomorrow night. You can catch the game at 7:15 p.m ET on FOX. Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 2.87 ERA) will start for the Nats against Adam Wainwright (4-3, 5.77) for the Cardinals.

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