Max Scherzer Wins His Ninth Straight Decision as Nationals Beat Rays

Washington Nationals right hander Max Scherzer became the first pitcher to win 10 games this season as he picked up the victory in a 4-2 Washington win over the Tampa Bay Rays on June 5th in DC. Scherzer improved to 10-1 with his ninth straight victory.

Scherzer pitched eight innings, striking out 13 and walking none. Incredibly, 81 of his 99 pitchers were strikes. He struck out the side in the sixth inning on just 9 pitches.

Scherzer leads the majors with 133 strikeouts, has a 1.95 ERA, and is an early front runner for the National League Cy Young Award, which would be his third consecutive if he wins it. He also won the A.L Cy Young as a Detroit Tiger in 2013.

The Nationals got off to a slow start this season, but trail Atlanta by just one game after games of June 5th, with Philadelphia a game and half behind Washington. The Nationals were just 13-14 at home, and 21-11 on the road. That home record should improve as we move along, and put the more experienced Nationals in front of the up and coming Braves and Phillies in the N.L. East race.