Despite broken nose, Scherzer cruises early (Nats sweep 2-0)

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

June 19, 2019, 4:03pm

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Despite a broken nose and a black eye, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer went ahead with his start Wednesday night in the second game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Jean Segura singled to lead off the first inning. But Scherzer got the next three batters out, including Rhys Hoskins, who took a called third strike.

Brad Miller singled with two outs in the second inning, but Scherzer induced a fly out to left field by Andrew Knapp to end the frame.

Scherzer struck out two more batters and walked one in a scoreless third.

Brian Dozier smashed a solo homer off of Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta in the second inning. His 12th homer of the season came on a 3-2 pitch and was his second on the day. He hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning in the doubleheader opener.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 1-0.

Update: Scherzer has rolled through six shutout innings, allowing only three hits, along with two walks to Bryce Harper, and seven strikeouts.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 1-0.

Update II: Scherzer fires seven shutout innings, allowing four hits with two walks to Harper, 10 strikeouts on 117 pitches, 76 for strikes. He has reached double digits in strikeouts in 88 games, six times this season.

In the eighth, Victor Robles hit a solo homer off of Phillies reliever Pat Neshek.

After eight innings, the Nats lead the Phillies 2-0.

Update III: Sean Doolittle delivers 15th save with 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Final Score: the Nats 2, the Phillies 0.