MLB wrap: Ailing Max Scherzer pitching like he doesn't want to be traded

Thomas Lott

MLB wrap: Ailing Max Scherzer pitching like he doesn't want to be traded image

Max Scherzer gave one of the most astonishing performances of the season Wednesday in a 2-0 win over the Phillies.

He took the bump and tossed seven shutout innings while striking out 10 in the victory. He also probably shouldn't have even been pitching.

In an unfortunate accident during batting practice Tuesday, he fouled a ball off of his face on a bunt attempt and reportedly broke his nose. His nose was left crooked and mangled and his eye blackened after the incident.

Any normal pitcher would have taken the next day off. But, Scherzer isn't normal.

The Nationals have underachieved this year. Yet, Scherzer has been his normally awesome self, going 6-5 with a 2.62 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings.

That success and the Nationals struggles have teams poking around Washington, with pundits suggesting the three-time Cy Young winner could become available.

Scherzer, however, clearly doesn't want the struggles to continue. His win in a dominating performance over the Phillies helped Washington move to 35-38 on the season and within four games of the Phillies, who are 3-7 in their last 10 games.

The Nationals also beat Philadelphia, 6-2, in the first game of their doubleheader Wednesday.  

If the Nationals get back into the playoff race they likely won't sell and Scherzer will probably stay. He did his part to get them as close to the race as he could Wednesday.

Studs of the Night

Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes went 3 for 4 with a three-run homer that put San Diego ahead of the Brewers 8-7 in the seventh inning. That is the way the game would end.

Mariners outfielder Domingo Santana went 3 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs in an 8-2 win over the Royals.

Pirates rookie Bryan Reynolds went 3 for 4 with a three-run home run that gave Pittsburgh an 8-7 lead over the Tigers in the sixth inning. That is also how that game would end.

Dud of the Night

Rays pitcher Blake Snell gave up six earned runs in 1/3 of an inning in a 12-1 loss to the Yankees.

Highlight

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shows off his athleticism with this leaping grab.

What's Next

Indians (39-34) at Rangers (39-35) 2:05 p.m. ET — It's a sneaky good matchup both in this game and on the mound. Shane Bieber (6-2, 3.92 ERA) will take on Cy Young candidate Mike Minor (6-4, 2.63). The Indians and Rangers are two evenly matched teams that both have definite chances to make the playoffs this year. They may in fact battle each other for the second wild-card spot. Every single matchup between the two teams matters. 

 

Thomas Lott