Scherzer surpasses 2,500 strikeouts in career (Nats fall 4-3)

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer and Padres left-hander Matt Strahm traded punches through the first three innings on a dark and gloomy Friday night in Washington, D.C.

Scherzer appeared to have a better handle on his off-speed offerings this time around compared to Saturday night in Miami, striking out six and not allowing a hit through four innings. Scherzer was hovering around 97-98 mph with his fastball early on.

Strahm gave up first-inning base hits to Adam Eaton and Yan Gomes, but managed to wiggle out of problems to keep the Nats off the board. Juan Soto grounded into a double play in the first to end that threat.

With two outs in the third, Victor Robles reached base on an error by first baseman Eric Hosmer and raced all the way to third base. But Anthony Rendon flew out to right field to end the inning.

Gomes apparently had Strahm's number Friday night. After a Soto single in the second, Gomes slammed a high, arcing two-run shot over the left field wall to give the Nats the advantage.

Strahm finished the frame with two strikeouts. He has six on the night.

After four innings, the Nats lead the Padres 2-0.

Update: Eric Hosmer hit a solo homer in the fifth.

In the sixth, Scherzer struck out Manuel Margot to become the 35th player in Major League Baseball history - the fourth active pitcher - to record 2,500 strikeouts in his career. Scherzer struck out the side. He has nine strikeouts.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead the Padres 2-1.

Update II: In top of seventh, Manny Machado dropped in an RBI single to tie the game. After Hosmer singled to deep left field to put runners on the corners, Scherzer struck out Kinsler. On the play, Gomes fired to third base to pick off Franmil Reyes. Rendon tagged Reyes out to complete the double play.

Scherzer has struck out 10 batters. It is the 84th time in his career he has struck out 10 or more batters in a game.

Mid-seventh, the Nats and the Padres are tied at 2-2.

Update III: Scherzer finished seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts. He fired 101 pitches, 69 for strikes. Kyle Barraclough arrived to pitch the eighth.

After seven innings, the game remained tied 2-2.

Update IV: In the eighth, the Padres tallied the go-ahead run against Nats relievers Kyle Barraclough and Wander Suero. Austin Hedges walked and moved to third on Ty France's single to left field. It was France's major league debut. With Wil Myers at bat, a Gomes passed ball scored Hedges.

In the bottom of the eighth, Carter Kieboom launched a solo homer off of former Nats reliever Craig Stammen for his first major league hit, tying the game at 3-3.

After eight frames, the Nats and Padres are tied again at 3-3.

Update V: In the ninth, Sean Doolittle allowed a solo homer to left-center field hit by Hunter Renfroe. Doolittle last allowed a home run June 19, 2018, versus the Oriole's Joey Rickard.

Mid-ninth, the Padres led the Nats 4-3.

Update VI: Facing Kirby Yates in the bottom of the ninth, Soto and Zimmerman struck out. Gomes singled to left field and Michael A. Taylor pinch-ran for Gomes. With Brian Dozier batting, Taylor stole second base, his first stolen base of the season. Dozier walked and pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick walked on a 3-2 count.

The bases were loaded for Kieboom with two outs. Kieboom struck out on a 2-2 splitter.

Final score: Padres 4, Nats 3.