Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Max Scherzer spun a masterpiece Thursday night in the Nationals' 4-0 victory over the Orioles.
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The Washington ace tossed eight scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. He allowed just two hits and did not issue a walk. This is Scherzer's ninth game with at least 10 strikeouts and zero walks as a National, which is the most in franchise history.
Scherzer extended his contribution to the field when he made a great between-the-legs play to retire Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop.
Outfielders Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper led the way for Washington at the plate. Werth went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and a solo home run. Harper collected two hits and two RBIs.
With just over a month left in the regular season, Scherzer has firmly stamped his name in the National League Cy Young award discussion. He is 14-7 with a 2.92 ERA and 227 strikeouts this year.
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Meanwhile, Cole Hamels tossed eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts to help the Rangers beat the Indians 9-0 in a matchup of American League division leaders. It's possible both of this year's Cy Young award winners pitched Thursday night.
Player of the Day
Giants left-hander Matt Moore, two years removed from Tommy John surgery, came one out away from no-hitting the Dodgers. The bid was broken up by rookie Corey Seager, who on his bobblehead night blooped a single to right field on Moore's 133rd pitch — the most thrown by any pitcher in MLB this season. Moore's outing was still one to marvel, with seven strikeouts and three walks in 8 2/3 innings for his first win since coming over to the Giants at the trade deadline.
Highlight
Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson robs Christian Yelich of a home run:
Just ridiculous, @mrzoombiya! https://t.co/3h8YXohViFhttps://t.co/dl19WI71SC
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2016
It was the first home run robbery in Marlins Park history.
Three things to know
— The Dodgers acquired catcher Carlos Ruiz and cash from the Phillies in exchange for catcher A.J. Ellis — who had a close relationship with ace Clayton Kershaw — minor league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named.
— Carlos Gomez got his Rangers career started in a big way, smashing a three-run home run in his first at-bat with the team. The home run was his first in the majors since July 17.
— The Mets scored 10 or more runs for the first time since July 3 in beating the Cardinals 10-6. Outfielder Alejandro De Aza led the way with a career-high five RBIs.
What's next
Orioles (70-57) at Yankees (65-61), 7:05 p.m. ET — Yovani Gallardo (4-5, 5.08 ERA) will try to help Baltimore stay close in the tight American League East race against Luis Cessa (3-0, 4.01 ERA) and the still-lurking Yankees.
Indians (72-54) at Rangers (75-53), 8:05 p.m. ET — Cleveland has been falling hard this week, losing three in a row. Corey Kluber (13-8, 3.13 ERA) will try to right the ship against Martin Perez (8-9, 4.27 ERA) and the Rangers.