When Max Scherzer signed with the Nationals for seven-years $210 million, it was seen as an overpay. Nonetheless, Scherzer rapidly dispelled that notion in a dominant first season. In the present day, we are going to discuss his no-hitter that in some way left a bitter style in Nationals followers mouths.
The date was June twentieth, 2015, and Max Scherzer was coming off one of the best efficiency of his profession. He had struck out 16 Brewers in a one hit, one stroll efficiency, the place he flirted with a no-hitter. He discovered a solution to one up himself in opposition to the Pirates.
Scherzer was mowing down Pirates hitters. Whereas he didn’t fairly match his 16 strikeouts from the earlier begin, he struck out 10, and solely allowed 11 balls out of the infield. It was a masterclass in entrance of a boisterous Nationals Park crowd.
Scherzer would get loads of run help on the day, with the Nationals successful 6-0. That included a Bryce Harper dwelling run, which raised his OPS to 1.206. Harper was within the midst of an MVP season. Regardless of generational seasons from Harper and Scherzer, the Nats would miss the playoffs in 2015.
By the center innings, the group knew one thing particular was occurring. With Scherzer, you knew you had the prospect to see one thing you had by no means seen earlier than on any given begin. You might inform fairly rapidly when Scherzer was really on high of his sport. He would simply blow hitters away.
That was what he was doing in opposition to the Pirates. After seven excellent innings, Nats followers had been itching in anticipation, rooting for Nats hitters to get out rapidly so Scherzer might get again on the mound.
Within the eighth inning, Danny Espinosa made an exceptional play to rob Pedro Alvarez of an infield hit. It was the kind of nice play that occurs in nearly each excellent sport. Then got here the ninth inning.
Scherzer rapidly bought Jordy Mercer and Gregory Polanco out to get one out away from perfection. In stepped the pinch hitter Jose Tabata. Scherzer bought the rely to 2-2 earlier than one of the crucial notorious moments in Nats historical past occurred. A slider backed up on Scherzer. It was inside, however Tabata leaned his elbow into it the pitch, getting hit and taking first base. The proper sport was over, Scherzer had a scowl of disappointment and Nats Park booed.
Future Nationwide Josh Harrison flew out to present Scherzer the no-hitter. Nonetheless, it felt like a buzzkill. He was so near perfection. Whereas the Jordan Zimmermann no-hitter was a second of pure pleasure, this felt like a little bit of a let down.
Scherzer would throw one other no-hitter, as soon as once more being so near perfection. The one baserunner that sport reached on an Yunel Escobar error.
Max Scherzer is the best pitcher to ever put on the curly W. Each time he was on the mound, you knew there was an opportunity of seeing one thing completely exceptional. Towards the Pirates, he was exceptional, and cheated out of perfection.
