UPDATE #2: Scherzer’s no-hitter is over after seven and a third innings. He gave up a one-out hit to Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart on pitch number 105. It was a clean single to left field with the count 1-2. So, all of you baseball history buffs can stand down
UPDATE: Scherzer’s no-no is still intact, though he needed a lot of pitches to get through the seventh, thanks in part because of an 11-pitch at bat to Jay Bruce that ended in a walk. But he worked around that and gave up no hits. And he reached 99 m.p.h. on the gun in striking out Joey Votto. He’s at 98 pitches and the Nats led 4-0.
4:46 PM: Here’s a change: some drama with the Washington Nationals.
Max Scherzer is on the hill for the Nats in an afternoon tilt against the Cincinnati Reds and he’s got a no-hitter going through six innings. He has struck out eight and walked two. He does have 79 pitches, however, so he’ll have to be super efficient going forward if he is to go the distance here.
If it’s not a no-hitter and the game remains close -- Washington leads 3-0 right now -- Jonathan Papelbon will not be available to close it out. Just in case you’re just waking up right now and weren’t aware.
Max Scherzer has already thrown a no-hitter this year, of course: against the Pirates on June 20.