Homers hurt Scherzer as Nats fall 7-3

Max Scherzer labored through a 26-pitch first inning, which included a walk and a poor throwing error from Yunel Escobar. Scherzer seemed to get back on track as he retired the first two batters of the second inning on just three pitches. But with two outs, Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar pulled a solo homer to left.

It was Pillar's third home run of the season and the fourth allowed by Scherzer.

A runner has been on base for the Nats in each of the first two innings, but nothing has materialized. Bryce Harper lined a two-out single to center in the first and Clint Robinson drew a leadoff walk in the second.

Update: Harper missed his 19th homer by inches when he rifled a ball off the top of the right field wall to lead off the fourth. Tyler Moore, batting in the cleanup spot for the first time this year, followed with another double to score Harper for a 1-1 tie.

Three batters later, Jose Lobaton knocked a clutch two-out single to right, plating Moore to give the Nats the lead.

Scherzer has thrown 63 pitches through four innings, allowing the one run on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Update II: Scherzer led off the fifth with a single to center. Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada walked Escobar and then dropped an easy toss from first baseman Chris Colabello after a grounder from Harper that should have been the inning's second out. Instead, the result was the bases loaded for Moore, who delivered a sacrifice fly to center plating Scherzer.

Update III: Scherzer was breezing through the sixth until left fielder Danny Valencia hit a slicing line drive to the gap in right-center field. Harper made a sliding attempt but the ball caromed off the heel off his glove and Valencia reached on a double.

Scherzer then walked pinch-hitter Justin Smoak, bringing Pillar to the plate. Once again, Pillar turned on a hanging slider, belting a three-run homer to left.

Nationals manager Matt Williams sent Dan Uggla in to pinch-hit for Scherzer in the bottom of the inning ending the right-hander's night.

Scherzer allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings. He threw 101 pitches.

Update IV: Blake Treinen took over in the seventh. The right-hander promptly loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk. After making a nifty play on force at the plate for the first out, Treinen surrendered two runs on a single and a sacrifice fly.

Williams then opted for recently recalled left-hander Felipe Rivero. With runners at the corners and two outs, the Blue Jays successfully completed a double steal as Lobaton threw to second allowing catcher Russell Martin to hurry home safely.

Treinen was charged with all three runs on three hits with a walk in just 2/3 of an inning.

Update V: The Nationals never challenged after the Blue Jays pushed in front.

The Blue Jays beat the Nationals 7-3 to split the doubleheader.