Scherzer pitches 7 as Nats top Marlins
WASHINGTON » The Washington Nationals savored their latest victory a bit more than most, mainly because it was a complete performance quite literally from beginning to end.
Max Scherzer did his part as the starting pitcher, and newcomers Brandon Kintzler and Sean Doolittle finished up. Bryce Harper and pinch-hitter extraordinaire Adam Lind also played major roles in a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night.
In his first appearance since an injuryabbreviated start six days earlier, Scherzer struck out nine and gave up two runs over seven innings. In his previous outing, the right-hander was pulled after one inning with neck spasms.
“It wasn’t bothering me today. It was just weak,” Scherzer said. “It’s not a big deal.”
Scherzer allowed only five hits, two of which really mattered: Giancarlo Stanton’s major league-leading 37th home run and an RBI single by pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne, who stepped to the plate with an .036 lifetime batting average.
“He was pretty sharp and his endurance was good,” manager Dusty Baker said of Scherzer. “He gave us all he had.” PIRATES 3, TIGERS 0» Trevor Williams pitched seven crisp innings, leading Pittsburgh to the win.
Williams (5-4) struck out five and walked two, giving up only a leadoff single to James McCann in the third. Williams threw pitches and never third base. REDS 11, PADRES 3 » Joey Votto homered for the third straight game and pulled into a tie with Ted Kluszewski on the Reds’ career list.
The Reds homered four times in all, with Patrick Kivlehan hitting his first career grand slam. Adam Duvall and Zack Cozart also connected.
Jose Pirela drove in all of San Diego’s runs with his first career multihomer game. CARDINALS 11, ROYALS 3 » Matt Carpenter hit a three-run homer in St. Louis’ six-run fourth inning, and the Cardinals beat Kansas City for their third consecutive victory. a career-high 107 allowed a runner to