Scherzer and Harper get going again (Nats win 2-0)

BALTIMORE - It is very difficult to beat the Nationals' Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper on the same night. Unfortunately, about 33 times this season opponents will have to contend with just that dilemma.

That was what faced the Orioles on Wednesday night.

Scherzer struck out six batters, including the last four batters he faced, in the first three frames.

Harper crushed his 18th homer, a solo shot off of a 3-2 pitch from Orioles starter David Hess, in the third inning.

Chris Davis singled with two outs in the second against Scherzer for the Birds' first hit.

Hess retired the Nats in order in the top of the fourth. Despite allowing the Harper homer, he has scattered three other hits to keep the Nats from adding more.

Mid-fourth, the Nats lead the Orioles 1-0.

Update: Facing Miguel Castro with two men on and two outs with a 1-2 count, Juan Soto connected on a changeup outside the zone. He went with it and poked it into left field for an RBI single.

Mid-seventh, the Nats lead the Orioles 2-0.

Update II: Scherzer was masterful again, finishing eight innings and allowing no runs on two hits with one walk and 12 strikeouts. It is the eighth time this season he has had 10 or more strikeouts, and the 72nd time in his career. Scherzer has pitched eight innings or more four out of his five starts against the Birds since arriving in D.C.

After eight, the Nats lead the Orioles 2-0.

Update III: Sean Doolittle gave up singles to pinch-hitter Craig Gentry and Adam Jones to begin the ninth. But Gentry was caught in a run down for the first out: 1-5-4. Manny Machado popped out to left field. Jonathan Schoop flew out to Difo to end the game.

Doolittle has 13 saves. The Nats have won six in a row and have swept four road series this season and are 10 games about .500.

Final score: The Nats 2, the Orioles 0.