Max Scherzer loses perfect game in 9th, gets no-hitter
Earlier this week, Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer pitched a masterful one-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers. On Saturday, he went one better, and almost joined a very elite list in the process.
Scherzer had sat down all 26 Pittsburgh Pirates batters he had faced when pinch-hitter Jose Tabata stepped into the batter’s box, the final obstacle to Scherzer’s bid at perfection.
After fouling off two pitches, Tabata worked the count back to 2-2, and on the next pitch, he leaned in over the plate and Scherzer’s pitch brushed his elbow, sending him to first base on the HBP.
Josh Harrison fouled off the next two pitches on the next at-bat, and Scherzer’s last pitch was a fly ball to deep left that was easily caught for the final out, ensuring that even though Scherzer would not pitch the 24th perfect game in MLB history and the first since Felix Hernandez’ in 2012, he would still finish with the no-hitter.
Scherzer improved to 8-5 and lowered his ERA to 1.76. The no-hitter took 106 pitches, and Scherzer struck out 10 batters with no walks until hitting Tabata. Meanwhile, the Nationals moved into a tie for first place in the NL East at 36-33, with the New York Mets facing the Atlanta Braves in an evening game.
