Nationals at Orioles
Bryce Harper looks to build off a potential slump-busting performance as his Washington Nationals go for a three-game sweep in the Beltway Series when they visit the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Harper launched a solo homer in the first inning and added a pair of singles - after going 3-for-20 with 12 strikeouts over the previous five games - in Washington’s 3-2 victory on Tuesday.
Harper leads the National League with 17 homers despite batting just .238 while 19-year-old rookie outfielder Juan Soto is starting to make an impact after going 8-for-15 with three doubles in the last four games for the Nationals, who have won five straight. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has won seven straight decisions and goes for his 150th career victory Wednesday when he takes the mound for Washington against Baltimore rookie David Hess. The Orioles have cooled off with the bats again, managing just six runs during a four-game losing streak after leaving two runners on base in the ninth inning during Tuesday’s loss. Manny Machado belted his 16th homer in the setback - his first in eight games - for Baltimore and has hit safely in four straight despite his batting average slipping slightly to .326.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (8-1, 2.13 ERA) vs. Orioles RH David Hess (2-1, 4.15)
Scherzer had his streak of eight straight quality starts halted at Miami last Friday when he allowed four runs and seven hits over six innings in a victory. The 33-year-old Missouri product, who boasts a National League-leading 108 strikeouts along with just 18 walks, also saw a run of 10 straight games giving up two or fewer earned runs end. Adam Jones is 13-for-29 with four homers versus Scherzer, who is 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 10 career games against the Orioles.
Hess earned his second win in three starts last Friday when he permitted four hits and three walks across 6 2/3 scoreless innings to beat Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old Tennessee native blanked the Rays in 11 2/3 frames during two wins after surrendering a three-run homer to Matt Duffy in the first inning on May 12 in his major league debut. Hess has struck out 10 and walked five over 17 1/3 innings overall while opponents have smacked four homers against him.
WALK-OFFS
1. Jones had a pair of hits with an RBI on Tuesday and is batting .325 in 50 career games against the Nationals.
2. Washington SS Trea Turner is 13-for-46 with seven RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.
3. Orioles OF/DH Mark Trumbo had two hits Tuesday and is 6-for-10 in his last three contests, improving his batting average to .310.