A three-time Cy Young Award winner, Scherzer walked the first batsman of the game, giving one hit to the next and trailing Dominic Smith 1–0 on the sacrifice fly. Shazer’s fastball was short in the 90s, and he needed 27 pitches to get through his solo innings.
Scherzer did not return due to trouble with his right hamstring. He was ranked second by Eric Fedde.
The Mets defeated the Nationals 3–1.
Scherzer entered the game with a 0–1 record and 2.84 ERA.
He threw 99 pitches against the Yankees on Opening Day, then MLB season-high 112 in his next start. But after that one they had two days of extra rest as the Nationals recently had a four-day layoff when their series in Miami was postponed due to the outbreak of the Marlins’ COVID-19.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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