Scherzer outduels Lester as Nationals defeat Cubs
CHICAGO — Bryce Harper hit his 18th home run, Max Scherzer struck out a season-high 13 to outduel Jon Lester, and the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The top two free-agent pitchers on the market last offseason, Scherzer (6-3) and Lester faced off in a memorable matchup in the rubber match of the three-game series. Scherzer, who signed a seven-year deal worth $210 million with Washington, tossed seven scoreless innings while allowing five hits and one walk to win his fifth straight start.
Lester (4-3), who joined the Cubs after signing a six-year, $155 million deal, went seven innings and allowed two runs (one earned) while tying a season-high with 10 strikeouts.
MARINERS 3, RAYS 0: Felix Hernandez pitched a fourhitter to become the majors’ first to eight wins, Nelson Cruz hit his AL-best 18th homer to snap a scoreless tie in the ninth, and Seattle capped a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay.
YANKEES 4, ROYALS 2: Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer to break Lou Gehrig’s AL career record for RBIs, and New York completed a three-game sweep of Kansas City.
TIGERS 3, ATHLETICS 2: Yoenis Cespedes homered with two outs in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie against his former team and propel Detroit to a win at Oakland.
METS 7, PHILLIES 0: Noah Syndergaard pitched six-hit ball into the eighth and connected for his first major league home run as New York completed a three-game sweep.
INDIANS 12, RANGERS 3: Carlos Santana capped an eight-run third inning with a three-run homer as host Cleveland snapped Texas’ seven-game winning streak.
WHITE SOX 5, BLUE JAYS 3: Adam LaRoche singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th, and Chicago won at Toronto.
TWINS 6, RED SOX 4: Aaron Hicks homered as Minnesota extended its winning streak to five games.
PIRATES 5, MARLINS 2: Jung Ho Kang capped a rally with a two-run single, and Pittsburgh won its sixth straight.
GIANTS 3, BREWERS 1: Ryan Vogelsong allowed a run in six innings as San Francisco completed a three-game sweep.
ROCKIES 6, REDS 4: Nolan Arenado hit a three-run homer, leading Colorado to a victory at Cincinnati.
CARDINALS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 3: St. Louis scored the winning run on catcher Jordan Pachecho’s error in the ninth.
PADRES 5, ANGELS 4: Will Middlebrooks homered and drove in three runs, and San Diego won at Los Angeles.
BRAVES 3, DODGERS 2: Alex Wood allowed one run over seven innings, and Atlanta avoided a three-game sweep.