Scherzer departs in seventh (Nats win 3-0 on Harper homer)

The Phillies have gotten base hits off of Max Scherzer in three of the first four innings, but have not been able to capitalize.

Cesar Hernandez singled and Andres Blanco walked in the first. Scherzer proceeded to get two infield popups to end the threat.

In the third, Hernandez walked and stole second. Later, Blanco was hit by pitch and stole second. But Tommy Joseph struck out to end the inning.

In the fourth with one out, Freddy Galvis singled. He was wiped out by a 4-6-3 double play to finish the frame.

The Nationals have a double from Ben Revere in the first, a single by Jose Lobaton in the second and a single from Daniel Murphy in the third. But each time the Nats could not tally a run off of right-hander Jerad Eickhoff.

It's the middle of the fourth and there's no score at Nats Park.

Update: In the bottom of the fourth, the Nationals got a one-out single from Clint Robinson. He went to second when Danny Espinosa drew a walk. Lobaton singled, but Robinson was thrown out at the plate by center fielder Odubel Herrera. The Nationals challenged the call. The play was confirmed by video review. The delay took 58 seconds.

After four innings, still no score.

Update II: Both pitchers departed in or around the seventh inning. Scherzer completed 6 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on four hits with one walk, two hit by pitches and eight strikeouts. He threw 117 pitches, 76 for strikes. Eickhoff lasted six innings, allowing no runs on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Update III: WIth one out in the eighth, the Nationals mounted a game-changing rally. Ben Revere singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Following a walk to Murphy, Bryce Harper crushed a 3-1 offering from Phillies reliever Patrick Schuster down the right field line and well into the Nats bullpen. The Nationals lead the Phillies 3-0 after eight innings.

Update IV: Mark Melancon tossed a scoreless ninth for the Nats, recording his 40th save of the season. He has saved 40 games in two consecutive seasons.

The Nationals shut out the Phillies 3-0.