Max Scherzer had another subpar outing, and the Nationals weren’t able to overcome the rough start in an 8-5 loss in San Francisco Friday night.
Scherzer (11-9, 2.73 ERA) lasted only three innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. In his last three outings, Scherzer has given up 13 runs on 19 hits in 15 innings for a 7.80 ERA over that span.
He left with the Nats down 6-1, but the offense, which has been sluggish of late, would make it interesting in the fifth. A Bryce Harper three-run homer, his 30th, and his first since July 29, brought Washington to within 6-5.
But that would be it for the Nationals (58-57), who remain four and a half games back of the New York Mets (63-53) in the National League East.