Healthy Scherzer pitches Nats past Mets 2-1 for 1st win

NEW YORK (AP) — Max Scherzer showed no effects of hamstring trouble, navigating heavy traffic early for his first win this season, and Trea Turner hit a record-breaking leadoff homer to help the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Howie Kendrick had three hits and Victor Robles blooped an RBI single for the Nationals, who have taken the first two in a four-game series between NL East rivals. New York (7-11) dropped to 3-7 at home this season.

Rick Porcello (1-2) threw six solid innings but was outpitched by Scherzer (1-1) in a matchup of Cy Young Award winners and former Detroit teammates. When they opposed each other last week in Washington, Porcello won 3-1 and Scherzer exited after only one inning because of a hamstring issue that first popped up before his previous outing.

The right-hander said he didn't think it was anything serious, and the Nationals said he felt fine after a bullpen session between starts.

Scherzer needed 60 pitches to get through the initial two innings, but stranded five runners by striking out Wilson Ramos to end the first and Jeff McNeil to close the second.

Things turned for the three-time Cy Young Award winner when Dominic Smith lined into a double play to end the third. Scherzer lasted six innings and threw only 45 pitches over his final four to finish with 105. He gave up six hits, struck out seven and walked two.

Tanner Rainey tossed 1 2/3 hitless innings, getting McNeil to ground into an inning-ending double play with two on in the seventh.

Daniel Hudson struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth, helped by an outstanding play from Turner at shortstop.

Turner, who just announced with his wife that they're expecting a baby boy in February, drove Porcello's second pitch to right for an opposite-field shot that...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Healthy-Scherzer-pitches-Nats-past-Mets-2-1-for-15477032.php