Scherzer surrenders pair of early homers (Nats fall 5-4)

The Mets hit a pair of home runs against Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer in the third inning. Michael Conforto hit a two-run shot and Jay Bruce followed with a solo homer.

Even with the home runs allowed, Scherzer has struck out seven in four innings. He has 284 strikeouts for the season, matching his team record and career high.

Bryce Harper walked in the first inning. He has walked in six consecutive plate appearances dating to his five-walk outing at Miami on Tuesday night. He has 124 walks on the season. The streak ended with a fielder's choice in the third.

With a hit in the third inning, Trea Turner extended his on-base streak to 20 games.

Ryan Zimmerman's single in the second was the Nats' lone base knock in the first three frames off Mets left-hander Jason Vargas.

Mid-fourth, the Mets lead the Nats 3-0.

Update: Scherzer fanned Vargas on a caught foul tip in the fifth for his 285th strikeout, a new career high and team record. He later struck out Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil and is up to 10 whiffs through five innings.

It's his 17th game with 10 or more strikeouts this season and the 81st of his career.

Update II: In the sixth, Turner reached on a single and Anthony Rendon ripped a two-run homer to left. It was Rendon's 100th career home run and extended his on-base streak to a career-high 28 games.

Update III: Left-hander Matt Grace is in to work the eighth. Scherzer went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and 13 strikeouts. He threw 104 pitches, 76 for strikes.

McNeil tripled to right leading off the eighth and scored on Conforto's groundout for a 4-2 Mets lead.

Update IV: The Nats tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. Victor Robles singled off Anthony Swarzak and Turner walked. Daniel Zamora relieved and Harper flew out to the warning track in right, with Robles advancing to third. The Mets called on Robert Gsellman to face Rendon, who grounded out to third, scoring Robles to make it 4-3. Juan Soto tied the game on an RBI double to right-center and went to third on Zimmerman's infield single. Wieters fouled out to end the rally.

Update V: We're heading to extra innings, knotted at 4-4.

Update VI: Greg Holland loaded the bases with one out in the 10th, but got out of the jam by getting Jack Reinheimer to bounce into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

Update VII: Zimmerman led off the Nationals 11th with a double to left-center off Jacob Rahme and moved to third on Matt Wieters' flyout to center. The Mets walked Wilmer Difo and pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds struck out on three pitches. Robles struck out looking to take the game to the 12th inning.

Update VIII: Facing Jefry Rodriguez in the 12th, the Mets loaded the bases with one out on a single, a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk and a walk. Pinch-hitter Jose Lobaton skied a sacrifice fly to center to give the Mets a 5-4 lead.

Paul Sewald retired the Nats 1-2-3 in the 12th for his second save. Harper was ejected by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn after striking out looking for the second out of the inning. The Nats fall 5-4 in 12 innings.