Scherzer loses no-hitter, game to Marlins
MIAMI » Max Scherzer’s bid for the third no-hitter of his big league career ended with one out in the eighth inning, and he then gave up two unearned runs and the Miami Marlins rallied to beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Wednesday.
After backup catcher A.J. Ellis reached on an infield single for Miami’s first hit, an error by first baseman Adam Lind and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Scherzer threw a wild pitch that scored the tying run, and Giancarlo Stanton lined an RBI single — the Marlins’ only other hit — to put them ahead.
Scherzer (8-5) threw no-hitters against the Pirates and Mets in 2015, and he seemed on his way to another when he began the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead.
He retired 18 in a row before Ellis hit a chopper that bounced in front of the plate and glanced off the tip of Scherzer’s glove as he reached overhead for it. The ball rolled to shortstop Trea Turner, who failed in his attempt to make a barehanded pickup and rush a throw.
Official scorer Ron Jernick immediately ruled the play a hit, and Scherzer knew it. He picked up the ball and angrily flung it to the dugout — not as a souvenir. ROYALS 6, RED SOX 4 » Salvador Perez hit his first career grand slam, connecting in the eighth inning to rally Kansas City over Boston.
The Royals have won nine of 11 and moved within a game of .500. YANKEES 8, ANGELS 4 » Didi Gregorius and Matt Holliday each hit a go-ahead homer and New York piled on from there, lifting the Yankees over Los Angeles to snap a season-high seven-game losing streak.
New York’s skid was its longest since 2007. The Yankees haven’t lost eight straight since August 1995. PADRES 3, CUBS 2 » Erick Aybar hit a tying home run in the sixth inning, Luis Torrens walked with the bases loaded against Koji Uehara in the eighth and San Diego stopped a three-game losing streak by beating Chicago. RAYS 8, REDS 3 » Tampa Bay left fielder Mallex Smith rushed in to tag out speedy Billy Hamilton after a lengthy rundown, highlighting the Rays win over Cincinnati.
Hamilton stole his major leagueleading 31st base in the fourth inning. But he later got trapped when he thought about scoring from second base on a two-out grounder by Eugenio Suarez that shortstop Daniel Robertson bobbled.
It took five throws to nab Hamilton between home and third, with six Rays lined up ready to take part in the rundown. Smith dashed from the outfield and was stationed at third to take a throw and tag Hamilton.
Trevor Plouffe homered for his new team and Taylor Featherston also connected for Tampa Bay.