https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Nationals-Scherzer-takes-rare-loss-12983207.php
Nationals' Scherzer takes rare loss
Ace had won nine straight decisions since April 4 defeat
Published 11:59 pm, Sunday, June 10, 2018
Washington
Brandon Crawford went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer, and the San Francisco Giants dealt Max Scherzer his first loss in more than two months, defeating the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Sunday.
After Pablo Sandoval walked leading off the fourth, Crawford homered into the second deck in right for his eighth of the season. He singled in the first and doubled in the sixth and eighth innings. Since May 1, Crawford is hitting an MLB-best .439 (58-for-132) and has raised his average to .338.
Scherzer (10-2) had won nine straight decisions since his last loss on April 4. He allowed two runs and four hits while striking out nine over seven innings.
Derek Holland (4-6), a 10-year veteran facing Washington for the first time, allowed three hits and two walks in five innings as five pitchers combined for the three-hitter.
Hunter Strickland pitched the ninth for his 13th save.
Padres 3, Marlins 1: Clayton Richard became the latest pitcher to flirt with the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres' history, losing his bid with two outs in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins. The Padres are the only team in the majors that has never thrown a no-hitter. They have played 7,881 games since starting out in 1969. Last month, Jordan Lyles was perfect for 71/3 innings until Colorado's Trevor Story singled. In April, Tyson Ross didn't give up a hit until Arizona's Christian Walker doubled on a ball misplayed by center fielder Franchy Cordero. Richard (5-6) took a shutout into the seventh, but Miguel Rojas grounded a clean single up the middle to spoil Richard's try and JT Riddle followed with an RBI single. Richard gave up two hits in seven innings, striking out five and walking three. Brad Hand pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save. Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer.
Indians 9, Tigers 2: Corey Kluber continued his dominance of the American League Central, allowing two runs in eight innings as Cleveland topped Detroit. Kluber (10-2) is 5-0 with a 0.76 ERA in five starts against division rivals this season and has won his last 11 decisions against teams from the AL Central. He allowed five hits and struck out eight without walking a batter. Melky Cabrera and Erik Gonzalez each drove in three runs for Cleveland, which expanded its division lead to five games over the Tigers. Leonys Martin drove in Detroit's runs.
Mariners 5, Rays 4: Right fielder Mitch Haniger threw out Johnny Field at the plate to end the game, and Seattle held off Tampa Bay for its 17th win in 22 games. Field tried to score from first on a two-out, bloop single by Carlos Gomez. James Paxton (6-1) struck out 10 and Kyle Seager hit a go-ahead home run for Seattle. Nelson Cruz and Mike Zunino also homered for the Mariners.
Astros 8, Rangers 7: George Springer scored the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning on a balk after homering on the first pitch, and the Astros swept their Texas rivals in a four-game series for the first time, beating the Rangers despite blowing a six-run lead.
Dodgers 7, Braves 2: Max Muncy homered in his third straight game, Logan Forsythe and Enrique Hernandez also connected, and the Dodgers beat Atlanta.
Blue Jays 13, Orioles 3: Curtis Granderson had four hits and a career-high six RBIs, Marco Estrada pitched six innings to snap an eight-start winless streak and Toronto routed Baltimore to complete a four-game sweep. Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run homer and Kendrys Morales and Kevin Pillar each added solo blasts as the Blue Jays finished with a season-high 19 hits. Toronto had 17 hits in an 11-inning win at Cleveland on May 3. Estrada (3-6) allowed two runs and four hits, leaving after Jonathan Schoop homered to begin the seventh.
Reds 6, Cardinals 3: Center fielder Billy Hamilton made a bunch of key defensive plays and the Reds ended their 13-game losing streak to St. Louis, beating the Cardinals. Hamilton threw out two runners, then made outstanding catches against the wall in the eighth and ninth innings. He also tripled and scored twice.
Phillies 4, Brewers 3: Zach Eflin tied his career high with nine strikeouts over six innings and the Phillies snapped a four-game losing streak by holding off Milwaukee.
Twins 7, Angels 5: Jake Cave had a career-high three hits, including a home run, and Minnesota held on to beat Los Angeles. Eduardo Escobar doubled twice to take over the major league lead with 26 and the Minnesota bullpen threw 32/3 shutout innings before a two-run single by Albert Pujols in the ninth. Los Angeles had the go-ahead run at the plate against closer Fernando Rodney, but Zack Cozart popped out.
Pirates 7, Cubs 1: Josh Harrison led off the game with a home run and Gregory Polanco hit a bases-loaded triple, leading Ivan Nova and Pittsburgh over the Cubs.
D'backs 8, Rockies 3: Paul Goldschmidt doubled and tripled and had two RBIs and Arizona defeated Colorado.
Athletics 3, Royals 2: Matt Chapman homered leading off the eighth, moments after shortstop Marcus Semien's defensive gem, and Oakland beat Kansas City. Stephen Piscotty and Jonathan Lucroy both drove in runs for the A's, who squandered numerous scoring chances before Chapman came through with a solo home run off Royals reliever Jason Adam (0-1).
