Mets star Max Scherzer saw something was wrong. Instead of pushing through, he cleverly pulled himself out.
After five quick innings and 67 pitches, Scherzer exited with left side fatigue, and the NL East-leading New York Mets fell 7-1 to the Washington Nationals.
"Nothing tightened up — just general weariness on my left side," Scherzer explained. "When you're throwing through weariness, that's when you may be hurt." So that was the reason for my appearance."
Despite tiredness that began in the fourth inning, he retired the remaining seven hitters before walking straight to the Mets' clubhouse following the fifth.