Scherzer, Nationals stave off Phillies
PHILADELPHIA -- Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer threw 6 2/3 strong innings in his 2017 debut and Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy each belted a two-run homer as the Washington Nationals spoiled the Philadelphia Phillies' home opener with a 7-6 win on Friday.
Scherzer, who wasn't starting on Opening Day for the first time in the last three years due to a finger injury, looked like he hadn't missed a beat from 2016, which saw him win 20 games and his second career Cy Young Award.
The 32-year-old right-hander didn't allow a baserunner until Howie Kendrick's double with one out in the fourth, and retired the Phillies in order four of the first five innings before allowing multiple baserunners in the sixth and seventh frames. Scherzer was pulled with two outs in the seventh after throwing 98 pitches, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two to pick up the win.
But his bullpen nearly cost him. The Phillies (1-3) tacked on three runs in the seventh, getting an RBI double from Freddy Galvis and a two-run home run from right fielder Aaron Altherr, who had entered on a double-switch in the fifth inning. Both hits came off reliever Sammy Solis, with one run charged to Scherzer.
Washington reliever Blake Treinen gave up a two-run home run to Galvis in the ninth inning but still collected his third save in as many tries.
As a unit, the Nationals relievers gave up four earned runs, five hits and two walks in just 2 1/3 innings of work.
Scherzer (1-0) took the mound in the bottom of the first inning already spotted a 2-0 lead thanks to Harper, who sent a 3-2 changeup from Phillies starter Vince Velasquez (0-1) into the right-field seats. Murphy followed that in the third inning with a shot of his own over the wall in right-center.
Both Harper and Murphy's blasts plated Adam Eaton, who drew one-out walks each time.
Harper and Murphy each went 2-for-4 with two RBIs on the afternoon; seven other Nationals each collected one hit apiece.
Velasquez was done after four innings in which he threw 94 pitches (57 strikes), giving up four runs -- all earned -- and five hits while striking out 10 and walking three.
The Nationals (3-1) added three more runs against Philadelphia reliever Joely Rodriguez on one Jayson Werth swing in the fifth inning, as the former Phillie scored Harper and Murphy on a home run to left.
Scherzer finally gave up a run in the sixth inning when Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera singled in second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who had doubled with one out.
Herrera went 2-for-3 with two singles against Scherzer, the only batter in the Philadelphia lineup to pick up multiple hits off the starter.
NOTES: Saturday's matchup pits Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (0-0) against an unannouced Nationals starter. ... In his career, RF Bryce Harper is now 2-for-3 against Velasquez with a home run and three RBIs after going 1-for-1 with two walks and an RBI on April 26. ... Phillies pitchers combined to strike out the Nationals 17 times. ... Dating back to 2016, RHP Max Scherzer has won his last nine regular-season decisions. He went 8-0 with a 3.34 ERA in his final 10 starts of the 2016 season, though he did take a loss in one of his two postseason starts. ... Philadelphia RF Aaron Altherr's home run was his first of the season and 10th career.