Scherzer selected to NL All-Star team

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer was named to the 2015 National League All-Star team on Monday night. Scherzer joins right fielder Bryce Harper, who was announced Sunday as a fan-elected starter, as the Nationals' selections to the National League squad. The 2015 AL and NL All-Star rosters were unveiled during the "Esurance All-Star Selection Show" on ESPN on Monday night. Scherzer, who has now received three consecutive All-Star nods, is 9-6 with a 1.82 ERA in 16 starts thus far this year. The right-hander earned his first National League honor via player vote. "We are thrilled that Max and Bryce will be representing our team at this year's All-Star Game in Cincinnati," said Nationals Managing Principal Owner Theodore N. Lerner. "The performance of both of these players during the first half of this season has not only contributed directly and significantly to our team's success, but it has been historic in nature as well. "We are so fortunate to get to watch both of these talented players on a nightly basis, and we are honored to call them ours. We can't wait to see them get the credit they so richly deserve on a stage with so many of baseball's brightest talents." Scherzer joined the Nationals this past offseason, signing as a free agent on January 21, and the 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner has had quite a memorable start to his career in a Nationals uniform. Scherzer threw the second no-hitter in Nationals history (2005-present) on June 20 vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates, carrying a perfect game into the ninth inning before pinch hitter Jose Tabata was hit with a pitch on his left elbow with two outs in the frame. The no-hitter was one of three consecutive games in which Scherzer took a perfect game into at least the sixth inning, including his start ahead of June 20 (June 14 at Milwaukee) and the one that followed (June 26 at Philadelphia). Combining his no-hitter with his complete-game, one-hit shutout at Milwaukee, Scherzer became the fifth pitcher in the Modern Era, and the first since Jim Tobin (Boston Braves, 1944) to allow one hit or fewer in back-to-back complete games. All told, Scherzer faced 54 batters between hits allowed (7th inn. at MIL on 6/14 - 6th inn. at PHI on 6/26), and opponents were 0-for-52 in that stretch (BB, HBP). Scherzer also ran his personal consecutive scoreless innings streak to 24.0 during that three-start stretch. He completed his third game of the season on Thursday night in Atlanta, despite suffering the loss. Twice named the National League pitcher of the Month (May and June), Scherzer was also the National League Player of the Week for June 15-21. The 2015 All-Star Game will be played at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, July 14th. The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries.