SPORTS INSIDER – Max Scherzer near perfect in complete game shutout; Warriors on brink of NBA Championship
Ceci Ferrara
June 15, 2015
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
Max Scherzer was an expensive off-season acquisition for the Nationals, costing them $210 million over the next seven years. For those who questioned if the 30-year old 2013 Cy Young winner was still worth that price tag, Scherzer has silenced them with his outstanding performance.
In his first year in the National League the ex-Tiger has posted a staggering 1.93 ERA over 93 1/3 innings and recorded 113 strikeouts. Other impressive statistics include 0.88 walks-and-hits-per innings (best in the league), while batters are hitting a mere .195 against him; third best in the majors.
On Sunday, in the finale of a four-game series against the Brewers, Scherzer pitched his best game of the season–and possibly his career.
He threw 119 pitches, giving up just one walk en route to a complete game shutout. Scherzer was actually perfect for the majority of the game, losing that bid in the seventh when Carlos Gomez got on base with a bloop single. He gave up his sole walk in the bottom of the eighth.
“He was unbelievable,” right fielder Clint Robinson said of his performance. “So many swings and misses. So many strikeouts. I didn’t get any action out there in the outfield today, which is always a good thing. He was incredible.”
While Scherzer wasn’t able to record a perfect game, or even a no-hitter, he still pitched a one-hit wonder.
His 16 strikeouts against Milwaukee was a career high, as well as a Nationals team record. Even more impressive, he finished with a game score of 100; only the 12th pitcher in history to receive that score in a nine-inning game. Scherzer joined the elite company of hall-of-famers Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan, as well as contemporary and three-time Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw.
“I was able to execute every pitch for the most part where I wanted to,” Scherzer said. If Sunday is any indication for Scherzer, the best is yet to come.
NBA Finals
After evening the series in Cleveland, the Golden State Warriors returned to ORACLE where they took take Game 5 for a decisive 3-2 series lead.
The Warriors were able to withstand another incredible performance from LeBron James–who looks poised to win the Finals MVP even if his team loses. James had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists Sunday night, but unlike Games 2 and 3, it wasn’t enough to lead his team to victory.
This year’s MVP Stephen Curry hit seven 3-pointers and scored 37 points, including seven in the final minutes as the Warriors pulled away from Cleveland for a 104-91 victory. The victory gives Golden State a 3-2 series edge, just one game away from their first championship in 40 years.
Despite being on the brink of elimination, James is not concerned about the deficit. “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world,” he said.
Yet basketball is a team sport, and James can only carry his team so far. The Cavs roster is admittedly depleted, missing injured stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, and has relayed almost entirely on James throughout the series. It remains to be seen if the “best player in the world” has enough left to lead his team to victory–or if it’s too big a job for one man.
Game 6 is Tuesday night in Cleveland.
