Nationals 5, Padres 1: Friars get Scherzered

Sometimes you draw the short straw, like having to face Max Scherzer in the opening game of a series. Luis Perdomo gave up three runs over six innings, but his offense went just 3-for-29 in 8.2 innings against the Nationals ace. The only Padres hitter to really get to Scherzer was Ryan Schimpf, who hit his twelfth bomb of the year in the fourth inning.

It was entirely a game of long balls, with everyone scoring on home runs. Former Friar farmhand Trea Turner was the first to go yard, and then Schimpf answered that a few innings later to tie the game. The good news didn’t last long. Michael Taylor hit a two-fer in the bottom half of the inning, and then Bryce Harper piled on with a two-run shot of his own off Kirby Yates in the seventh.

Hopefully Clayton Richard will fare better tomorrow when he faces off against Aztec alumnus Stephen Strasburg. First pitch at 4:05 PM.