Chicago Cubs

Max Scherzer Throws Complete Game as Nationals Beat Cubs

Scherzer struck out 11 batters and walked none in the victory

Max Scherzer threw a complete game, and Trea Turner and Juan Soto each drove in a pair of runs as the Washington Nationals took the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

The game, which was delayed due to rain after Friday night’s contest was rained out, went Washington’s way early, as Jaime Garcia struggled out of the gate and the Nationals’ offense added on late.

Garcia pitched just one-third of an inning, giving up three earned runs. Randy Rosario was also roughed up for four runs, and Tyler Chatwood gave up a pair of runs in the losing effort.

The Nationals got on the board early thanks to Soto, who drove in Turner and Bryce Harper to give Washington a 2-0 lead. Matt Wieters then singled to left to make it a 3-0 game after just one inning.

In the sixth, Washington poured it on, scoring five times. Anthony Rendon had an RBI single, and Harper and Mark Reynolds each registered RBI fielder’s choices to make it an 8-0 game.

The Cubs did try to tack on runs late, scoring a pair of runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough as their division lead over Milwaukee was cut to three and a half games.

The Cubs and Nationals will resume their series on Saturday night with the second game of the doubleheader, which is slated to start around 7:45 p.m.

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