Recap: Zack Greinke Outduels Max Scherzer, Extends Scoreless Streak
After completing two games against the Washington Nationals Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers sought to take the rubber match of the three-game series. The finale of the series saw two impressive pitching aces take the mound with Zack Greinke getting the start for the Dodgers and Max Scherzer for the Nationals.
The Dodgers began the opening frame with a mini rally after Howie Kendrick and Adrian Gonzalez hit back-to-back one-out singles. Yasmani Grandal drew Scherzer’s first walk since June 14th to load the bases, which gave Yasiel Puig an opportunity with two outs. However, Scherzer got out of the jam by striking out Puig.
Meanwhile Greinke’s first inning of work was easy a breeze. He threw a total of 12 pitches and got Yunel Escobar to groundout before striking out Danny Espinosa and Bryce Harper on four pitches each. Scherzer retired the side in order in the second inning, lending early credence to the expected pitchers’ duel.
After expressing some frustration with his at-bat in the top half of the inning, Greinke continued to dominate on the mound in the bottom of the second. He struck out Clint Robinson and Wilson Ramos, then got Matt den Dekker to foul out.
The Dodgers’ top of the order couldn’t get anything going in the third, failing to have anyone reach base. Joc Pederson struck out for a second time and Scherzer ended the inning by getting called strike three on Gonzalez.
The Nationals got their first hit of the afternoon on a Michael Taylor one-out single to left field in the bottom of the third. Scherzer attempted to move Taylor to second with a bunt but struck out instead. With Escobar at the plate following the strikeout, Greinke picked off Taylor and faced the minimum through three innings.
CONTINUE READING: Zack Greinke Extends Scoreless Streak, Dodgers Break Out In 9th
