Papelbon saves Scherzer's gem as Nats take series with 1-0 win

By Josh Land

Nationals

July 30, 2015, 8:54am

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MIAMI - The Nationals are quickly experiencing the benefits of their injured stars returning to the lineup the past week. In the second, it was Ryan Zimmerman leading off with a deep blast to the power alley in left-center field. The solo shot was Zimmerman's sixth of the season and first since coming off the disabled list on Tuesday after missing 40 games.

Bryce Harper stayed hot, ripping a double down the right field line in his first at-bat.

Nationals starter Max Scherzer has yielded one hit with a strikeout through the first two innings.

Update: Scherzer is commanding all of his pitches today. He has held the Marlins scoreless through five, allowing just two hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Scherzer has thrown 67 pitches.

The Nats have only managed four hits against Marlins starter Dan Haren. Zimmerman added a double in the sixth.

Update II: Scherzer tossed seven scoreless innings, surrendering just three hits with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 109 pitches. It was the first time Scherzer issued three walks in a game this season.

Drew Storen breezed through the eighth inning, setting down the Marlins in order with two strikeouts.

Update III: Jonathan Papelbon pitched a perfect ninth for his first save with the Nationals.

The Nationals beat the Marlins 1-0.