NEW YORK (AP) — Max Scherzer isn’t going to begin a debate over who should start the All-Star Game for the National League.
He’s content to let others sort that out while he keeps winning.
Scherzer made a final pitch to start the Midsummer Classic on his own mound, Anthony Rendon hit two homers and Bryce Harper also connected, leading the Washington Nationals over the New York Mets 5-4 Thursday night.
Scherzer (12-5) didn’t dominate over his seven innings, but managed to tie Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola for the NL lead in wins. He struck out five, boosting his league-leading total to 182.
His first half assessment?
“Pretty good,” he said. “I’ve been pretty consistent, giving the team a chance to win.”
The three-time Cy Young Award winner exited with a 2.41 ERA, and perfectly lined up to pitch on regular rest next Tuesday night in the All-Star Game at Nationals Park.
Scherzer deflected a question on whether he should get the start, saying it was “an All-Star question” that he’d talk about at the right time. Before the game, Nationals manager Dave Martinez was more definitive.
“I don’t want to be biased,” he said, “but Max Scherzer, yeah, of course.”
Fans at Citi Field would rather see Mets ace Jacob deGrom make the start - he tops the majors with a 1.68 ERA, but is just 5-4 in 19 starts because of poor run support.
“I know how good he is,” Scherzer said. “He’s having a great year.”
Washington won for just the sixth time in 17 games and nudged back over .500 at 47-46. The Mets fell to 37-54, their most losses before the All-Star Game since dropping 60 in 1993.
Scherzer gave up three runs and five hits, including home runs by nemesis Jose Bautista and Kevin Plawecki.
Rendon hit a two-run homer off Steven Matz (4-7) in the first and added a solo drive in the third. His fourth career multihomer performance gave him six homers in 13 games.
Matz was pulled after striking out Juan Soto to start the seventh, and left with a 3.38 ERA.
“He’s just maturing as an overall major league pitcher. And his stuff has gotten better,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “He’s been fantastic for us.”
Rendon singled in the seventh off Tim Peterson and then Harper, already assured a starting spot in the All-Star outfield, greeted lefty Jerry Blevins with his 23rd homer to make it 5-2.
Bautista hit an RBI single in the first and a solo homer in the fourth. He is 11 for 23 lifetime against Scherzer with two home runs and four doubles.
Plawecki homered in the seventh off the Washington ace. Kelvin Herrera relieved to begin the eighth and gave up a solo homer to Asdrubal Cabrera.
Ryan Madson closed for his fourth save.
MORE MAX
Scherzer beat out an infield single for his 11th hit, tied with Colorado’s German Marquez for most among pitchers this year. Scherzer also put down his first sacrifice bunt of the season and lined out.
“Max is Max. He wants to be the best at everything. Pitching, hitting, bunting,” Martinez said. “He tells me he can play the outfield if need be.”
MORE STATS
Cabrera’s 17th homer marked the most by a Mets second baseman before the All-Star break. … Matz had held opponents hitless in their last 26 at-bats with runners on base until Soto singled with one out in the first and Rendon followed with a home run.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Nationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg, out for nearly a month because of shoulder inflammation, threw a bullpen that went well, Martinez said. Strasburg will make rehab start Sunday for Class A Potomac and is expected to throw 80-85 pitches. … 1B Ryan Zimmerman (oblique strain), sidelined since May 10, could rejoin the Nationals right after the All-Star break at home vs. Atlanta, Martinez said.
Mets: OF Yoenis Cespedes has been taking grounders at first base while rehabbing at the spring complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The oft-injured slugger hasn’t played in the majors since mid-May, and the Mets think a position shift might ease the toll on his legs. The team is seeing whether moving to first might be an option for next season.
UP NEXT
Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (3-11, 4.76 ERA) is tied for the major league lead in losses. He got no-decisions in two starts vs. the Mets this season.
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 3.06) is expected to come off the disabled list for his first big league start since May 25. The 2016 All-Star has been sidelined by a strained ligament in his right index finger. Callaway is looking forward to lining up a healthy rotation led by ace Jacob deGrom, Syndergaard, Matz and Zack Wheeler after the break, when the Mets open up at Yankee Stadium. “Obviously, the first half was not a success and it was unacceptable,” Callaway said.
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