DC Powerhouse

All season, we've had stories about the powerhouse Astros and Dodgers, who have dominated their respective leagues up until now. But after watching the Nationals destruction of the Brewers yesterday in DC, the boys from Washington deserve to be in that conversation. Start with their best pitcher: Max Scherzer, celebrated his 33rd birthday by punching out Milwaukee. He took a no-hitter into the 4th inning;, by then his side was up 9-0. Working the first six, he struck out nine, and passed the 200 k mark for the sixth year in a row (he's on track for 320 over a full season). With LA's Clayton Kershaw likely on the shelf through Labor Day, the St. Louis native could be on track for his second consecutive Cy Young Award (and third of what's looking like a Hall of Fame career.)
And then there's the offense, which shredded Milwaukee starter Michael Blazek and for four consecutive third inning homers, plus a fifth en route to a club record eight on the afternoon. The onslaught began with this first inning blast by Bryce Harper.
 Watch where it was about to land beyond the right field fence.
And the reception from his teammates... including that forearm greeting by Brian Goodwin, whom he drove in.
Teammate Ryan Zimmerman also crushed a pair -- and made history by passing Frank Howard for the most home runs by any Washington player, between the old and new Senators and the Nats.
15-2 was the final, and it wasn't really even that close. Now 13 games ahead of the second place Braves, the Nats appear to be cruising toward the playoffs. And keep in mind, this is a team that lost their big off-season acquisition, centerfielder Adam Eaton at the beginning of the season, and their fast-rising shortstop-centefielder Trea Turner a few weeks ago. Plus, the brittle Stephen Strasburg is back on the DL -- they'll need him back if they hope to get past the Cubs and Dodgers in October. And the Washington bullpen remains a big question mark. Then again, you don't need a shutdown closer when you win 15-2.

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