Jun 13, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON — Right-hander Max Scherzer took a perfect game into the top of the sixth inning and batterymate Wilson Ramos hit a tie-breaking homer in the last of the sixth as the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Monday in the opener of a series between first-place teams in the National League.
Scherzer (8-4), who threw two no-hitters last year, gave up one run on two hits in seven innings with 11 strikeouts and no walks. He was lifted for pinch-hitter Chris Heisey, who fanned with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh.
Oliver Perez retired the only batter he faced in the eighth, then Shawn Kelley came on to get the last two outs of the frame. Kelley got all three outs in the ninth.
Ramos hit a solo homer to lead off the sixth — just out of reach from right fielder Jason Heyward — to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead off Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks (4-6). Anthony Rendon followed with a double and scored on a single to left by hot-hitting Danny Espinosa, which gave him nine hits in his last 18 at-bats. Ben Revere’s single scored Espinosa to build the margin to 4-1.
Reds 9, Braves 8
ATLANTA — Cincinnati continued its rebound from an 11-game losing streak by adding to Atlanta’s miseries.
Tyler Holt drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the ninth inning to force in the decisive run as the Reds improved to 10-6 since the losing skid with a victory over the Braves.
Joey Votto opened the winning rally with a bloop double off Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino (1-2) and three walks, one intentional followed.
The loss dropped the Braves to 7-26 at home, including 1-8 in one-run decisions.
Phillies 7, Blue Jays 0
TORONTO — Odubel Herrera hit a home run and had three RBIs, Ryan Howard homered, Jerad Eickhoff pitched six scoreless innings and Philadelphia defeated Toronto.
The Phillies ended a four-game skid with the win while stopping a three-game winning streak by the Blue Jays.
Eickhoff (4-8) allowed three hits and four walks to win his second straight start. The right-hander struck out five before David Hernandez took over in the seventh.
