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Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer is imMAXulate in tenth win

ByBlake Finney|
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 05: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park on June 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 05: Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Nationals Park on June 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer was his usual dominant self on Tuesday despite raising his ERA. He even threw an immaculate inning in the game.

In the first game of a two-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays, Max Scherzer dominated yet again in a 4-2 victory for the Washington Nationals. He went eight innings, allowing just five hits, two runs and striking out a magnificent 13.

Scherzer has been an artist so far this season, so much so that in this outing he actually raised his ERA from 1.92 to 1.95. But he also recorded another piece of history in this one, throwing an immaculate inning.

It was his second immaculate inning, both in the last two years, putting him in an elite group. Re-live the moment again:

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Even though he pitched eight innings, he went a joint season-low 99 pitches, throwing 81 for strikes. This was his highest strike percentage of his entire time with the Nationals.

If you have any more superlatives for Max Scherzer, do let us know. Because right now, Nats fans everywhere are running out of them to describe the future hall-of-famer.

Offense makes most of hits

Although the Nationals only managed to muster up four hits, they still scored four runs on the night. Matt Adams got it started with a solo homer, and Wilmer Difo kept impressing by driving in two.

Adams was back in the lineup again after fouling a ball off his foot in Saturday’s game and immediately justified his presence. The long ball was his 13th of the season, and he’ll look to remain in the lineup against right-handers moving forward.

Difo on the other hand didn’t have the prettiest of series in Atlanta, going 1 for 15. Although the one was huge, driving in Scherzer for the game-winner on Saturday. The RBIs on Tuesday were his 17th and 18th, putting him fourth on the team, as he continues to come into his own this year.

Adam Eaton plays center-field for Potomac

Adam Eaton continued his rehab assignment with the Potomac Nationals on Tuesday. Most notably, he played center-field once again, as the Nats keep their options open in the outfield.

Eaton went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer on Tuesday night, as he looks to get his bat ready for the majors. It’s looking more and more likely that he’ll be activated on Friday when first eligible after his recovery went quicker than expected.

With Michael Taylor and Juan Soto swinging hot bats of late, the Nats will have the opportunity to ease Eaton back. But a big decision is looming in the outfield when he returns, as they may be forced to carry five outfielders for a time.

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The Washington Nationals will look for the two-game sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday afternoon. Tanner Roark will toe the rubber, and the Rays expect to use their “Opener”. That’ll be worth watching at the very least.

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