Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 5-3 Loss To Brewers
By Ricky Keeler
Scherzer Doesn’t Deliver
Last night, the Washington Nationals needed a vintage performance by Max Scherzer, but his outing against the Brewers was less than stellar. He went six innings, gave up five runs on five hits, struck out ten, and walked three on 117 pitches. But, he took the loss for the first time since May 27 against the Cardinals.
While Scherzer did strike out ten batters for the third consecutive game, his problems with his command were evident early in the game. In the first inning, he walked the bases loaded and it cost him when Aaron Hill hit a two-run single to put the Brewers on the board.
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That first inning would come back to bite Scherzer as they ended up needing 38 pitches. The Nats would end up giving him a 3-2 lead to protect in the third, but the ace failed to protect it.
In the fifth, Keon Broxton hit a 0-1 slider over the wall in left center for his first Major League home run, which tied the game at three. Then, one inning later, Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a 2-1 fastball for a two-run home run to right center for his fourth home run of the year to give Milwaukee a 5-3 lead.
Coming into last night, Scherzer had given up only four runs in his prior four starts combined. But, the home runs allowed continue to be a problem. Scherzer has given up 20 home runs this year and at least one home run in 13 of his 16 starts.
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Last night’s loss shouldn’t diminish the confidence the Washington Nationals should have with Scherzer on the mound in a big game. That being said, last night was one of those games where the team needed a big game from him.