The Nationals’ Max Scherzer struck out 15 Phillies batters Sunday but was pulled after he threw 111 pitches in 6⅓ innings. And that’s the way the Washington Nationals are playing it — cautiously — even if that spoils some fun on a Sunday afternoon in May. An announced crowd of 30,611 at Nationals Park roared as Scherzer struck out 15 Philadelphia Phillies batters in ­6 1/ 3 innings. Was any consideration given to letting Scherzer go past 130-some pitches if the 20-strikeout record was in sight? Both Daniel Murphy and Adam Eaton will accompany the Nationals on their trip out west but aren’t ready to play.

Source: Washington Post May 07, 2018 01:02 UTC