Scherzer dominant in Nats' 3-0 win (Harper homers)

Max Scherzer is on fire tonight. The Nationals' ace has elevated his fastball to 98 mph several times when needed. Scherzer has held the Cubs scoreless through six innings, allowing five hits with one walk and 11 strikeouts. It is the 29th 10-plus strikeout game of Scherzer's career and fourth this season.

Bryce Harper helped Scherzer's cause in the sixth with his 18th homer of the season, which tied him with Seattle's Nelson Cruz for the major league lead. The opposite field blast is Harper's 13th homer in May, the most in a single month in Nats history (2005-present).

In this pitchers' duel, the Nationals struck first in the fourth. Yunel Escobar led off with a single and then advanced to second when Harper walked. Ryan Zimmerman followed with a ground ball out to Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro. But after the flip to second baseman Addison Russell, Russell threw wildly to first, allowing Escobar to come around to the plate for the game's first run.

Ian Desmond is 2-for-4 with two doubles, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.

Update: Scherzer's night ended after seven innings. He struck out a season-high 13 while only surrendering five hits and one walk. Of Scherzer's 108 pitches, 72 were strikes.

Nationals manager Matt Williams chose to go with lefty Matt Grace to start the eighth. Joe Maddon, the Cubs skipper, countered with right-handed swinging Jorge Soler. Soler wasted no time, slamming Grace's first offering down the left field line for a double.

Grace then hit first baseman Anthony Rizzo five pitches into the at-bat to give the Cubs first and second with no outs.

That was it for Grace as Williams turned to right-hander Casey Janssen.

Entering in high-pressure situation, Janssen popped up rookie Kris Bryant for the first out. The next batter, center fielder Dexter Fowler, bunted. Janssen shot off the mound, diving to the grass to secure the bunt and then turned to throw from his knees. Zimmerman was able to pick the one-hopper for the second out.

Castro then grounded out to end the inning.

With one out in the ninth, Danny Espinosa gave the Nats some extra insurance with his sixth homer of the season.

Update II: Closer Drew Storen shut the door in the ninth to secure his 16th save.

The Nats beat the Cubs 3-0. They have now won nine consecutive series.