Scherzer’s 10 strikeouts baffle Mets

NEW YORK — Max Scherzer struck out 10 over eight innings to reach double-digit strikeouts for the fifth straight start, leading the Nationals past the Mets 7-2 on Friday night.

Matt Wieters and Michael A. Taylor hit consecutive home runs starting the third inning against Steven Matz (1-1). Anthony Rendon added a two-run homer in the sixth and had three RBIs. Bryce Harper finished with three hits, including a run-scoring single in the eighth, as the Nationals improved to 5-0 at Citi Field.

Scherzer (8-4) won for the fourth time in five starts, starting 26 of 29 batters with strikes. He never threw more than 16 pitches in an inning until the eighth, ending that one by striking out Yoenis Cespedes in an 11-pitch at-bat.

Scherzer allowed four hits, walked two and threw 118 pitches, his most since May 11, 2016, but got defensive help when the infield turned three double plays.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner reached double digits in strikeouts for the eighth time this season and the 57th time in his career. He also allowed four hits or fewer for the 10th time in 14 starts.

Daniel Murphy doubled in the sixth and has reached in all 27 games has has played against his former team, hitting .393 (42for-107) with eight doubles, a triple, eight homers and 28 RBIs.

Making his second start since recovering from left elbow inflammation, Matz allowed four runs on eight hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

The Mets, who dropped 10 games behind the NL Eastleading Nationals, face Stephen Strasburg on Saturday and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw on Monday.