Max Scherzer has been dominant over his last three starts and he was just that on Thursday night, but the Atlanta Braves were able to squeak through in the end. Cameron Maybin singled in the game-winning run off of Scherzer in the ninth to give the Braves a 2-1 win over the Washington Nationals.
Pedro Ciriaco began the inning with an infield single, beating out a throw from Danny Espinosa to break a streak of 10 in a row retired by the Nats' ace. He advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jace Peterson and scored on Maybin's game-winning hit.
Washington's right-hander allowed five hits and struck out nine in his third complete game in four starts, but saw his record fall to 9-6. Although, he is 3-1 with a 1.05 ERA in those four starts, including a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 20th, and a near perfect game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Atlanta won their second straight to clinch the series victory, but the Braves are just 3-9 against the Nats this season. Jason Grilli pitched a perfect ninth inning, including striking out Bryce Harper, to earn the win and run his record to 3-3.
Andrelton Simmons gave Atlanta the lead in the fifth with an RBI single that scored Juan Uribe, who doubled to begin the inning. Washington would tie it in the seventh on a Wilson Ramos run-scoring single that scored Bryce Harper, who hustled out a double.
The Nats' $120 million right-hander did not take a perfect game deep, retiring the first seven batters before surrendering a single to Eury Perez in the third.
Braves' starter Manny Banuelos made his major-league debut and allowed just two hits and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander threw 48 of his 75 pitches for strikes, but left the game with dehydration and cramping in his left fingers and left leg. He also retired 13 in a row at one point in the game.
The Nationals will host the San Francisco Giants over the holiday weekend, while the Braves will host the Philadelphia Phillies.
Pedro Ciriaco began the inning with an infield single, beating out a throw from Danny Espinosa to break a streak of 10 in a row retired by the Nats' ace. He advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jace Peterson and scored on Maybin's game-winning hit.
Washington's right-hander allowed five hits and struck out nine in his third complete game in four starts, but saw his record fall to 9-6. Although, he is 3-1 with a 1.05 ERA in those four starts, including a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 20th, and a near perfect game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Atlanta won their second straight to clinch the series victory, but the Braves are just 3-9 against the Nats this season. Jason Grilli pitched a perfect ninth inning, including striking out Bryce Harper, to earn the win and run his record to 3-3.
Andrelton Simmons gave Atlanta the lead in the fifth with an RBI single that scored Juan Uribe, who doubled to begin the inning. Washington would tie it in the seventh on a Wilson Ramos run-scoring single that scored Bryce Harper, who hustled out a double.
The Nats' $120 million right-hander did not take a perfect game deep, retiring the first seven batters before surrendering a single to Eury Perez in the third.
Braves' starter Manny Banuelos made his major-league debut and allowed just two hits and struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander threw 48 of his 75 pitches for strikes, but left the game with dehydration and cramping in his left fingers and left leg. He also retired 13 in a row at one point in the game.
The Nationals will host the San Francisco Giants over the holiday weekend, while the Braves will host the Philadelphia Phillies.
