Max Scherzer on Opening Day.
Former Tiger Max Scherzer pitched an excellent game Monday for the Nationals at home, but ended up as the losing pitcher.
Scherzer retired 17 straight batters, but then in the sixth and seventh innings, a couple errors by his teammates ruined matters, and the Nationals lost to the Mets 3-1.
James Wagner of the Washington Post wrote:
The most important, hyped and fascinating season in Nationals history began Monday, led by the $210 million ace brought to Washington to help shepherd this talented team to October. After all the fanfare — the boxing-style player introductions, the fighter jet flyovers, the unveiling of the “Home of the 2018 All-Star Game” sign in left field and 17 straight batters retired — Max Scherzer watched a popup unravel all of it. He was walking toward the dugout when the ball fell in. He stopped, screamed at no one and ran to cover home, a botched play having turned an idyllic debut into dust.
“Miscue behind him, that was the difference today,” Manager Matt Williams said, according to the Post.. “He was really good. As advertised.”
