Scherzer vs. Nola II pitchers' duel again (Nats win 5-4)

PHILADELPHIA - No surprise that Scherzer vs. Nola II started out as a pitcher's duel.

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer allowed a bloop single to Scott Kingery and just grazed Nick Williams with a pitch in the second inning. But the Phillies were unable to score. Scherzer has struck out two.

Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola has not allowed a hit in his first three frames. He has struck out three.

After three innings, the Nats and the Phillies are scoreless.

Update: As in last week's matchup, Odúbel Herrera hit a homer off of Scherzer to give the Phillies the lead. Herrera hit a 2-2 offering with one out in the bottom of the fourth for a solo shot over the right-center field wall. It was his 21st of the season. Herrera's 20th, a two-run shot, came Aug. 23 in the Phillies' 2-0 win over Scherzer and the Nats in D.C.

After four innings, the Phillies lead the Nats 1-0.

Update II: Jorge Alfaro lauched a two-run shot to deep center field on the first pitch he saw from Scherzer in the fifth. The Phillies have used the longball to score three runs on three hits in the last two innings.

Ryan Zimmerman led off the top of the inning with a double. But the next batter, Matt Wieters, grounded one to shortstop Scott Kingery for a fielder's choice. Kingery threw to third base, where Asdrúbel Cabrera tagged out Zimmerman. Wilmer Difo then grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning quickly.

Scherzer left after just five innings. He allowed three runs on four hits - two of the hits were homers - no walks, one hit-by-pitch and five strikeouts. He threw 99 pitches, 68 for strikes. The five innings pitched matched his shortest outing of the season (April 4 in Atlanta). In 28 starts this season, Scherzer has pitched at least six innings 26 times.

After five innings, the Phillies lead 3-0.

Update III: The Nats answered with a rally in the seventh. Rendon singled and Zimmerman doubled. With two men on, Carlos Santana fielded Matt Wieters' grounder. Santana stepped on first base for the second out of the inning, but he threw wild to home, the ball sailing over Jorge Alfaro's glove. Rendon was safe, and Zimmerman too came around to score. Santana was charged with an error.

After seven innings, the Phillies lead 3-2.

Update IV: Facing Tommy Hunter, Bryce Harper walked to lead off the ninth. Against Pat Neshek, Rendon slammed a dramatic two-run shot over the left field wall to give the Nats a 4-3 lead. Zimmerman doubled for a career-high third time and scored after stealing third and heading home thanks to a throwing error by Alfaro.

The Nats lead 5-3 mid-ninth.

Update V: In the bottom of the ninth, Justin Miller allowed a double to Nick Williams. Pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos doubled to cut the led to 5-4. Vince Velasquez pinch-ran for Ramos. On a fly ball to center field, Velasquez left early and was deemed out at second base on appeal. The double play ended the game.

The Nats are now 3-57 when trailing after 8 innings. The Phillies are now 63-5 when leading after eight innings.

Final score: the Nats 5, the Phillies 4.