Max Scherzer tossed his glove and cap onto the grass and stared at Phillies manager Joe Girardi after umpires checked him a third time for sticky material as the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Scherzer (6-4) was solid on his return to the rotation after missing a start with a groin injury and took the win after swinging eight in five innings. Girardi apparently did not like what he was seeing.
Since Monday, Major League umpires regularly check pitchers for sticky substances that can give them better control of the ball. Managers can request a check, although umpires can reject it if they believe it is not in good faith.
Yan Gomes hit a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who secured their third win, the eighth in nine rounds. Scherzer allowed two hits and two runs, one of them earned.
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Brad Hand pitched 1-1 / 3 innings on a 3-hitter for his 16th save of the season.
Phillies starter Zack Wheeler (5-4) spent just three innings on the mound in his worst start of the season. The right-hander took the loss after allowing three plate appearances on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
For the Nationals, the Dominicans Juan Soto 5-2, with two runs scored; Starlin Castro 4-1; Victor Robles 4-1. The Brazilian Gomes 4-2, with two RBIs.
For the Phillies, Venezuelans Odubel Herrera 5-0; Ronald Torreyes 3-0.
AP
