Scherzer gives up home run in first exhibition start (Nats win 5-4)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 5, Mets 4

Recap: Max Scherzer threw 29 pitches, 20 for strikes, in his first exhibition game with the Nationals. Tanner Roark followed Scherzer to the mound and only pitched thethird after giving up three runs, including a towering two-run homer off the bat of Eric Campbell. The Nationals responded in the bottom of the third after a double from Tyler Moore that plated Mike Carp. An error by Mets second baseman Wilfredo Tovar scored Moore, closing the gap to 4-2 after three. First baseman Kila Ka'aihue delivered a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to give the Nats a 5-4 lead. Left-hander Xavier Cedeno got the win after pitching a scoreless seventh. Blake Treinen pitched a perfect ninth inning to give the Nats their first win of the Grapefruit League season.

Need to know: Ryan Zimmerman was impressive in his first game of the spring playing first base. The former Gold Glove third baseman picked two throws in the dirt to record outs. Heath Bell struck out the side in the top of the fifth, despite surrendering two walks.

On deck: Friday, at Atlanta Braves at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at 1:05 p.m.
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VIERA, Fla. - Max Scherzer threw 29 pitches, 20 for strikes, over two innings in his first exhibition game with the Nationals. Scherzer followed a perfect first inning by giving up a solo home run on a 1-1 pitch to John Mayberry Jr. Alex Castellanos also reached on an infield single against Scherzer. Two hits, two strikeouts and no walks in Scherzer's two innings.

"It's good to get out there for the first start of spring," said Scherzer. "You've been working hard for the past several months. It's nice to get on the mound and pitch in a game."

Despite giving up the home run, Scherzer was happy with his command.

"For me, it was establishing a fastball, attacking with a fastball, trying to work ahead in the count and that's something I did today that you don't always do when your first come ou,t and you never know how you're going to feel first game but I like how I felt," he said.

Scherzer could potentially face the Mets on opening day in Nationals Park or at least at some point during the season's first series. He tried not to give Mets hitters any advantage during those future meaningful meetings by not showing his entire repertoire of pitches tonight. However, the former Cy Young Award winner said after his stint that he did use a cutter he's been working on this spring.