Max Scherzer notched his 11th win, and the Washington Nationals have taken the first two in a matchup of National League heavyweights.
The Nats (61-42) topped the San Francisco Giants (59-44) 4-1 Friday night.
Scherzer (11-6, 2.85 ERA, 0.94 ERA) gave up a run on five hits in seven innings of work, striking out six and walking two.
Washington’s bullpen issues reared their ugly head again in the final two innings. Nationals manager Dusty Baker had to use five relievers to get the final six outs.
Oliver Perez gave up two hits to start the eighth, was relieved by Blake Treinen, who walked the next batter, before Sammy Solis (7 holds, 2.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) got Brandon Crawford to line into a triple play.
Felipe Rivero and Shawn Kelley each gave up hits in the ninth before Kelley (6 saves, 3.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP) got the final out to record the save.
Jayson Werth (.249.342/.421, 12 HR, 45 RBI) was 2-for-3 with an RBI single, and Daniel Murphy (.351/.390/.622, 20 HR, 76 RBI) was 1-for-3 with an RBI triple.
Bryce Harper (.235/.376/.449, 20 HR, 56 RBI) was 0-for-3 hitting in the #2 spot for the fourth straight game.
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Chris Graham
