Scherzer pitches into 9th, Nationals defeat Padres
San Diego manages just 3 hits in loss
WASHINGTON — Knowing that Washington star Max Scherzer can sometimes be stubborn when it comes to being taken out of games, Nationals acting manager Chris Speier said before Friday night’s contest he hoped Scherzer would go nine. Almost. Scherzer allowed three hits over 8 2/3 innings, Bryce Harper and Michael A. Taylor hit two-run homers and the Nationals defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Friday night.
Scherzer (5-3) struck out a season-high 13, throwing 108 pitches, 81 for strikes.
“His slider and his changeup were devastating to the right-handed hitters, really to everybody,” said Speier, who is filling in this weekend while Dusty Baker attends his son Darren’s high school graduation in California.
Scherzer, who tossed a season-low five innings in a loss to Atlanta last time out, retired 14 straight before Allen Cordoba’s one-out single in the ninth. After a walk to Yangervis Solarte, Speier visited the mound, but he momentarily left Scherzer in.
“The first time was, you know he wanted it. I would have been booed like crazy had I taken him out,” Speier said. “And the thought about complete game entered my mind. So, we gave him an opportunity to try.”
However, after a strikeout and a hit batter, Speier called on Koda Glover who struck out pinch-hitter Hunter Renfroe with the bases loaded to pick up his fourth save.
“I always say I’m built for 110 (pitches), but how many times in May do you really want to extend me past 110 pitches?” Scherzer
said. “That’s where (pitching coach Mike) Maddux and Speier, they both knew what’s going on. They made the right decision.”
Scherzer, who struck out the side on 11 pitches in the third, walked two.
“That’s not like a young lineup facing an ace even though that’s what it is,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “That’s an ace that carves through any lineup when he’s throwing like that.”
Trea Turner added a solo homer and a double for Washington.