WASHINGTON (AP) — Max Scherzer struck out 15 in only 6 1/3 innings, and the Washington Nationals then rallied for two runs in the ninth to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 Sunday.
Scherzer and Phillies starter Jake Arrieta, who have combined to win the last three NL Cy Young Awards, kept things close into the late innings before both bullpens faltered.
Philadelphia closer Hector Neris (1-2) took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but didn’t get an out. He walked pinch hitter Pedro Severino with the bases loaded to tie it and Wilmer Difo followed with a winning single.
The Phillies used a five-man infield against Difo, pulling their center fielder — Difo singled to the vacated spot in center, though his ball likely would’ve been deep enough to score a run in any case.
Sean Doolittle (1-1) pitched the ninth.
Anthony Rendon, who came off the disabled list Saturday, singled home two runs in the eighth to pull the Nationals within 4-3.
Scherzer, who has won the last two NL Cy Young Awards, fanned seven batters in a row at one stretch and got 12 consecutive outs via strikeout from the second to the sixth inning. He gave up a run on five hits and two walks.
Scherzer’s effort came on the 20th anniversary of Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout performance against the Houston Astros. Scherzer struck out 20 Detroit Tigers on May 11, 2016.
The Phillies trailed 1-0 before a three-run seventh that began against Scherzer, who left after recording his 15th strikeout on his 111th pitch. It was 1-0 when Scherzer was pulled with one out and a runner on second. Rhys Hoskins’ RBI double gave the Phillies a 2-1 lead and he came around to score on Odubel Herrera’s third hit of the day.
Maikel Franco added a solo homer in the eighth. Franco was the only Phillies starter Scherzer didn’t fan.
Arrieta allowed a run on two hits over six innings. He won the 2015 NL Cy Young with the Cubs.
Matt Adams homered in the Washington second, his fifth home run in six games.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: 1B Ryan Zimmerman, still sore after diving in Friday’s game, said he hopes to be back in the lineup Monday barring any setbacks. . RHP Trevor Gott, who left Friday’s game with a sprained ankle, was available. . RHP Shawn Kelley (elbow irritation) pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout in a rebab outing with Class A Potomac.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Zach Elfin (0-0, 1.50) opposes San Francisco RHP Jeff Samardzija (1-1, 5.27) when the teams open a four-game series in Philadelphia. Elfin is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts versus the Giants.
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (3-3, 3.47) pitches the opener of a three-game series in San Diego opposite RHP Tyson Ross (2-2, 3.28). Strasburg is 6-2 with a 2.94 ERA in eight outings against his hometown team.
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