PHILADELPHIA — Washington's Max Scherzer, bidding to become the second player in big-league history to throw consecutive no-hitters, retired the first 16 Philadelphia batters Friday night before Freddy Galvis doubled. Scherzer ended up allowing two runs and five hits in eight innings as his team won 5-2 on the road. “Once you get through the order (the) first time through, you know you have something going,” Scherzer said. “But, it's hard. It takes luck and when you make mistakes, they have to mis-hit it.” Scherzer couldn't match Johnny Vander Meer, who threw two straight no-hitters for the Reds in 1938. The longest a pitcher took a no-hitter after throwing one in his previous start was Nolan Ryan in 1973, when he allowed a hit to start the eighth. On a day Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg resigned, Scherzer stole the show. His performance continues a remarkable run — he threw a one-hit shutout in his start before his no-hitter. Den Dekker hit a two-run homer for the Nationals. But the focus was on Scherzer — again. Pirates 3, Braves 2: Jordy Mercer doubled home Andrew McCutchen with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game for Pittsburgh. Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless top of the 10th for Pittsburgh as the Pirates' bullpen didn't allow a hit in three innings of relief. Pedro Alvarez added two RBIs for the Pirates. Dodgers 7, Marlins 1: Native St. Louisan Scott Van Slyke, filling in for the injured Yasiel Puig, hit a two-run homer to help Los Angeles win on the road. Mets 2, Reds 1: Noah Syndergaard pitched eight sharp innings to contribute to host New York's victory. Padres 4, Diamondbacks 2: Matt Kemp hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly, lifting host San Diego to victory. Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 (10 innings): Peter Bourjos scored the winning run from third on a throwing error by Mike Baxter in the 10th inning as the host Cardinals defeated the Cubs. Pirates 3, Braves 2 (10 innings): Jordy Mercer doubled home Andrew McCutchen with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the host Pirates over the Braves. Rockies 8, Giants 6: Nolen Arenado homered twice and drove in four runs, Carlos Gonzalez went 5-for-5 and the Rockies held off the host Giants. American League Tigers 5, Cubs 4: J.D. Martinez hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning, and Joakim Soria worked out of a jam in the ninth to lift the host Tigers over the White Sox on Friday. Detroit trailed 4-3 in the seventh, but Rajai Davis led off that inning with a homer. Martinez went deep off Zach Duke in the eighth. Royals 5, Athletics 2: Kendrys Morales and Alex Gordon homered to help Kansas City win on the road. Blue Jays 12, Rangers 2: Edwin Encarnacion hit his seventh career grand slam and added a solo homer as Toronto cruised at home. Orioles 4, Indians 3: Chris Davis singled in the lead run in the eighth inning to boost host Baltimore. Tigers 5, White Sox 4: J.D. Martinez's tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning lifted host Detroit to victory. Red Sox 4, Rays 3: Mookie Betts doubled and scored on Brock Holt's 10th-inning single to lift visiting Boston. Yankees 3, Astros 2: Chris Young's three-run homer in the seventh rallied New York to victory on the road. Mariners 3, Angels 1: Robinson Cano homered to help Seattle win on the road. Inter-League Brewers 10, Twins 4: Jean Segura had a two-run single in host Milwaukee's six-run first inning as it romped. Kyle Lohse became the 14th pitcher to beat all 30 major-league teams after a six-inning outing. — Agencies
