Nationals top Phillies, Max Scherzer takes perfect game into 6th inning

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer took a perfect game into the sixth inning in his bid to become the second pitcher in major league history to throw two consecutive no-hitters and the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 Friday night.

On a day Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg resigned, Scherzer stole the show.

Scherzer (9-5) retired the first 16 batters before Freddy Galvis doubled on a 1-1 pitch to the right-field wall. The Nationals right-hander allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings.

Scherzer tossed a no-hitter last Saturday against Pittsburgh, falling one strike shy of a perfect game before hitting Jose Tabata on a 3-2 pitch with two outs. He threw a one-hitter, striking out 16 in his previous start.

But he couldn't match Johnny Vander Meer, who threw two straight no-hitters for the Cincinnati Reds in June 1938. The deepest a pitcher took a no-hitter after throwing one was Nolan Ryan in 1973, when he allowed a hit with no outs in the eighth.

Phillies starter Aaron Harang (4-10) gave up five runs — four earned — and nine hits in six innings to drop his seventh straight decision.