Max Scherzer retired the first 26 batters in order on Saturday against the Pirates…then he hit Jose Tabata in the elbow with a 2-2 pitch, just one strike away from a perfect game. Scherzer wasn’t perfect, but he did retire Josh Harrison after plunking Tabata to finish off his no-hitter, the second of the 2015 season (Chris Heston) and the second since the Nationals moved to DC from Montreal (Jordan Zimmermann).
Scherzer was dominant in his start, striking out ten while throwing 106 pitches (82 for strikes). Five of the eight offensive starters for Pittsburgh struck out at least once, with the lone exceptions being Jung-Ho Kang, Jordy Mercer, and (inexplicably) strikeout machine Pedro Alvarez.
For what it’s worth, friend of the site Pat Lackey called the no-hitter a little less than two hours before first pitch.
https://twitter.com/whygavs/status/612323532333260801
This is actually Scherzer’s second straight ridiculous start in a row. Last Sunday in Milwaukee, he threw a complete game shutout, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out 16 Brewers hitters.
One quick fun fact – Scherzer now has two shutouts in 14 starts with the Nationals. He had one in 161 starts with the Tigers. He’ll look to match Johnny Vander Meer’s unprecedented feat of back to back no-hitters on Friday…against the Phillies. Yep, we could be looking at even more history next week.
