The Nats now have a 4 game winning streak and lead the Mets by 6 games in the NL East standings. Daniel Murphy had 3 RBIs from 2 HRs tonight and has now tied his career high in home runs. Max Scherzer pitched a brilliant game in the first 7 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. The 8th and 9th innings got to the heart pounding level—the Nats bent but did not break.
Shawn Kelley was inserted with 2 outs in the 8th and struck out De Aza with men on 3rd and 2nd base as they represented the tying runs. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Murphy hit a 2-run HR to make the score 4-0. Shawn Kelley gave up a 2-run HR in the top of the 9th to make the score 4-2 and then he gave up a double with 2 outs. Rookie Brandon Nimmo represented the tying run and Kelley struck him out to finish the game and earn the Save.
“We did a great job sequencing their hitters” — Max Scherzer
Enjoy last night's recap video of the Nats sweep of the Mets:https://t.co/BpNEANrwVR
— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) June 30, 2016
Max Scherzer’s 7 1/3 inning shutout improved his ERA to 3.30 and tied him with teammate Joe Ross for the 29th best ERA in the Major Leagues. The Nationals now have 4 starters in the Top 30. There are 30 teams in the Majors and the Nats have 4 starters within the coveted aces roles.
