Scherzer gets support, adds 'W' to ledger

WASHINGTON -- Right-hander Max Scherzer finally received run support and picked up his first victory since April 17 as the Nationals defeated the Marlins, 7-5, on Wednesday afternoon at Nationals Park.

Prior to Wednesday, the Nationals scored more than four runs once while Scherzer was on the mound this season. Bryce Harper delivered more than that all by himself with his three-homer, five-RBI performance.

Scherzer pitched seven-plus innings against the Marlins, allowed five runs on 10 hits and struck out 10. It was the first time Scherzer (2-3, 2.11 ERA), who began the day with a National League-leading 1.26 ERA, allowed more than three runs in a game this season.

The bullpen, which has been overworked lately, needed Scherzer to go deep in this game. He threw 114 pitches, and left in the eighth inning after allowing a three-run homer to Giancarlo Stanton.

Video: MIA@WSH: Stanton hammers three-run shot to left field

"I had great stuff today," Scherzer said. "[Catcher Wilson Ramos] and I were on a really good run right there. I thought we were really on the same page -- what to throw and what different situations.

"I really thought I made two mistakes. One to Ichiro in the second inning, when he was able to get a single. Obviously, the last one to Stanton -- [the count] was 3-2. I was trying to break that slider into the zone. Before I started, I just needed to finish it. I didn't finish it, and it hung right there, so he could hit it a country mile."