Washington Nationals: Max Scherzer has memorable day

Max Scherzer certainly had a day to remember on Sunday. He took the mound on the heels of his worst start of the season as the Washington Nationals looked to hold at least a share of first place in the NL East. Scherzer did his part, firing a complete game as the Nationals defeated the Marlins 3-1.

However, his day was not done. He headed to the hospital after the game as his wife is set to give birth and is in labor.

Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer has memorable day

The timing of the birth was planned. Scherzer’s wife was set to deliver tonight, with the idea that he would join her following his outing. Of course, this was the day that he fired a complete game, prolonging the birth.

It was also an outing that Scherzer and the Nationals desperately needed. He had been somewhat uneven thus far, with three excellent outings sandwiched between a pair of starts where he allowed 11 runs, nine earned, in 11 innings.

He allowed just one run on five hits, being touched up for a homer by Isan Diaz, who led off the ninth inning with a homer. Nonetheless, it was a strong outing for Scherzer, who struck out nine without issuing a walk. He threw just 106 pitches in his masterpiece, with 23 of his 31 first pitches going for strikes.

The fact that Scherzer was able to pitch as well as he did, despite the impending birth of his child, is impressive. It would have been understandable had his attention been elsewhere during this outing, especially against a Marlins offense that has not exactly been close to productive lately. However, he maintained his focus, dispatching Miami with relative ease.

Max Scherzer had a day to remember on Sunday. Not only did he fire a complete game for the Washington Nationals, but he will welcome a new child.