Happy birthday to me: Scherzer reaches 200 strikeouts in 15-2 win

It helps to have an offense that can score runs.

But when you also have Max Scherzer, it's a day in the park.

Scherzer went six innings and allowed only one run as the offense crushed eight homers as the Nationals ran away from the Brewers 15-2.

Not too bad for a 33rd birthday.

"Yeah, what a birthday gift," Scherzer said. "I said coming in here I wanted to get a win and a knock. So the guys showed up today put an ungodly amount of runs up there. Fifteen runs - oh, man, what a pitcher's best friend."

The offense was so prolific in the third and fourth innings that the Nationals managed 13 runs. During the barrage, Scherzer walked twice and hustled out an infield single.

"I told everybody I didn't make an out today," he said. "I don't know if that's ever happened for me. For me to get two walks, wow, something happened."

It was a nice bounceback from his last start when Arizona hit three homers in a row early on. He settled for a no-decision in the Nats' 6-5 loss.

But Thursday, it was his teammates that hit four homers in a row in the seven-run third inning.

"I think (Matt) Wieters had the perfect line for that: It's like anybody can give up back-to-back-to-back," Scherzer said as the media roared in laughter. "That's special to go four in a row."

It was the 18th time this season the Nats had scored 10 or more runs in a game. They are 17-1 in those games.

Scherzer (12-5) allowed a solo homer to Travis Shaw in the fourth, but only two other hits, both singles, as Milwaukee was unable to ever get anything going offensively. Scherzer struck out nine and walked three.

After all the homers allowed in Arizona, did Scherzer have to make any adjustments against another home run-hitting team like the Brewers?

"Made a couple of tweaks of what I was anticipating from their lineup today and had a good plan," Scherzer said. "Was able to really work both sides of the plate today with (Jose Lobaton). He did a great job back there sucking some balls up, getting me some low strikes. That really helps when you can get those low strikes.

"I was able to throw all the off-speed pitches kind of off of that and really stayed out of trouble today. When I can do that and you get run support this team we can beat anybody."

Scherzer has now reached 200 strikeouts for six consecutive seasons. He is the only active pitcher in the major leagues to pull off that feat. His manager was impressed when asked about that accomplishment.

"Max, he likes to strike out people and we like to see him striking out people," said Dusty Baker. "Max is hard worker. This guy, every time he takes the mound, you know we got a chance to win and the fact that he's probably not going to give up a lot of runs, which is indicative of his ERA which is 2.2-something, so we'd like to get Max to 20 (wins) again."

Scherzer believes hitting 200 strikeouts that may seasons in a row is special because it indicates durability and pinpoint command.

"Consistency and just executing with all my stuff," Scherzer said. "That's a good size plateau to reach and (I am) very appreciative to have the health be able to do this for six (seasons).

"The hard work I put in and all the coaches, as well, catchers back there ... and video guys putting everything together. That's the reason why, and the training staff, as well. That's why I've been able to achieve that."

But did Baker get nervous when he saw Scherzer hustling down the line for a single in a game that was already turning into a blowout? After all, that is how Adam Eaton got hurt and was lost for the season.

"No, not really. How do you tell Max to dial it back?" Baker asked. "If you smell a hit, especially if hits are as rare to come by being a pitcher and being Max, I mean that's Max. He's just Max being Max and we wouldn't have it any other way."

But Baker also noticed Scherzer lose some of his steam later in his start and knew it was time to go get him.

"He struggled a little bit there in the fifth and sixth and we figured that was enough especially with the lead that we have and try to piece the rest of it together," Baker said.

Right fielder Bryce Harper went 3-for-5 with two homers, a double and four RBIs. He puts Scherzer up there for another Cy Young Award with the way he has pitched again this season.

"That's why he's one of the best," Harper said. "If you look at some of the top guys in baseball, you think Chris Sale, you think (Clayton) Kershaw, you think Scherzer. If there's any guy that I want out there on the mound at any given moment, it's Max Scherzer. He goes out there, he does his job every single day. He prepares so well every single day.

"Doesn't matter what the lineup is or who he's facing. He goes with his plan of what he needs to do and it's certainly impressive. Playing behind that guy for the last couple years, we're very fortunate to be the team that he chose in free agency. Thanks, Scott (Boras). It's definitely impressive. The things that he does, wow, what can you say?"