Scherzer off to quick start in Detroit (Nats win 2-1)

DETROIT - Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer has won five straight games. Manager Davey Martinez said one reason for the recent hot streak is Scherzer's pitch efficiency.

"What stands out to me most is he's not doing it at 120 pitches," Martinez said. "He's getting through with hardly any high-leverage situations. Just kind of getting through the game and keeping his pitch count to about 105, 106 pitches, which is kind of nice."

Scherzer has thrown 104 pitches or less in four of his last six starts.

Martinez believes teams are also trying to get to Max faster in the at-bat, catch him early.

"He's always attacking the strike zone," Martinez said. "The league is maybe trying to swing more, get hits earlier. Because once you get to two strikes on a guy like him it's tough. It's tough on anybody but you get two strikes on Max makes for a tough at-bat."

Update: Scherzer has allowed one hit and no runs through three frames. He has struck out four, including Gordon Beckham, who has struck out 17 times inf 52 career at-bats against Scherzer.

In the fourth, Anthony Rendon doubled into the left field corner against Jordan Zimmermann. Kurt Suzuki singled up the middle to score Rendon.

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

Update II: Scherzer has recorded nine strikeouts through five innings. He has given up only two hits.

After five innings, the Nats lead the Tigers 1-0.

Update III: In the seventh, Brandon Dixon launched a solo homer to right field to get the Tigers on the board, tying the game at 1-1. His 11th of the season came on an 0-1 pitch and traveled an estimated 358 feet.

Scherzer has 10 strikeouts for the 90th time in his career. He had 11 through seven innings. It is the eighth time this season he has reached at least 10, and fourth time in a row. He has passed Tom Glavine and Chuck Finley on the all-time list and is now No. 25 with 2,616 strikeouts.

Zimmermann allowed one run over six innings, firing 89 pitches.

After seven innings, the Nats and the Tigers are tied 1-1.

Update IV: Rendon broke the tie with a 366 foot solo homer in the eighth. It was his 19th homer of the season and came off Tigers reliever Joe Jiménez.

Mid-eighth, the Nats led the Tigers 2-1.

Update V: Scherzer had 14 strikeouts over eight innings. That is 34 strikeouts for Scherzer against the Tigers in his last two starts. He allowed one run on four hits with no walks on 115 pitches, 86 for strikes.

Sean Doolittle got through the ninth for his 18th save and 100th of his career. Scherzer is 8-5. The Nats have won 10 of their last 13 to get to 42-41.

Final score: Nats 2, Tigers 1.