Max Scherzer fans 12 as Nationals win to sweep series

Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer came in on a roll and left that way. Scherzer fanned 12 tonight as the Nationals beat the Orioles 2-0 to sweep the series at Camden Yards. Orioles right-hander David Hess gave up just one run, but took the loss.

The Nationals improved to 32-22 and complete just their second three-game sweep of the Orioles since moving to Washington in 2005. The first was from June 12-14, 2007 at Oriole Park. The Nats have won a team-record 10 straight road games.

Baltimore falls to 17-39 with five consecutive losses. The Orioles are 10-16 at home and 4-30 when scoring three runs or less. They have been held to three or less in 11 of the last 12 games. The Orioles have scored just eight runs in the last six games and 23 in the past 11.

Scherzer allowed just two hits over eight innings to improve to 9-1 with an ERA of 1.92. He walked one and threw 111 pitches, 83 for strikes. It was the 10th time in 12 starts he allowed two runs or less and the Nats are 10-2 in his games.

The Orioles' only real scoring chance against him came in the last of the seventh. Manny Machado doubled to right with one out for the Orioles' second hit. After a two-out walk to Mark Trumbo, Scherzer fanned Chris Davis on a changeup to strand two runners. Davis got the other hit off Scherzer with a single to left in the second. The O's went 2-for-26 against him.

Hess gave up just four hits and one run over six innings. He walked one and fanned two over 97 pitches, throwing 65 for strikes. He went with 55 fastballs that averaged 92 mph, along with 23 sliders, 14 changeups and five curveballs. He got nine swings and misses.

But he took the tough-luck loss tonight to fall to 2-2 with an ERA of 3.47 through his first four major league starts. Tonight was his third quality start and the Orioles' 25th.

Hess retired the final 10 batters he faced tonight and certainly became more pitch-efficient as the game went on. While he needed 68 pitches through the first three innings, he needed just 29 over the next three. He threw seven in the fourth, 13 in the fifth and nine in the sixth.

But Nationals would break the 0-0 tie against him in the top of the third. With two outs and none on, Bryce Harper went deep in the count with Hess. He then hit a 3-2 high changeup for a homer to left field for the 1-0 lead. It was his second homer of the series and 18th for the season. His drive cleared the wall and went 376 feet.

They added on with one in the seventh off Miguel Castro. With two on and two outs, leadoff batter Juan Soto flared a single into short left to plate the second run and provide him his fourth RBI since joining the club.

The Orioles' homestand continues Thursday as they host the Yankees to start a four-game series. Right-hander Andrew Cashner (2-6, 5.07 ERA) faces right-hander Sonny Gray (3-4, 5.98 ERA) at 7:05 p.m.