Max Scherzer has won the first direct duel with Clayton Kershaw. The 33-year-old led his Washington Nationals (10-10) to a 5-2 victory in front of over 50,000 spectators at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (8-10) on Friday evening.
This was the tenth time that the two three-time Cy-Young Award winners met, but it was the first duel in the Regular Season since 2008.
Scherzer only allowed one run on four hits over six pitched innings, recorded new strikeouts and three walks. For Nationals, it was their first win since 2010 against Kershaw (9H, 4ER, 4K), who pitched one inning more than his opponent.
“His fastball is dominant. The pace makes it very difficult for me to meet him,” Kershaw said after the game about Scherzer. But the latter also scattered roses on his opponent: “He doesn’t make walks, he just delivers every time.”
Nationals managed to attack Kershaw in the early counts. Trea Turner’s double was followed by Howie Kendrick’s flyout in Center Field. Bryce Harper sent Turner home with a single.
Nationals are only fourth behind the Mets, Phillies and Braves with 10 wins and 10 losses in the East NL. The Dodgers are third behind the Diamondbacks and the Rockies in the west with 8-10.
This article was published without previous view by the Major League Baseball.