Corey Kluber, Max Scherzer's Brilliant Mound Work Results In Shutout Wins For Indians, Nationals

Players of the Day for Monday, April 9, 2018

American League

Kluber: 8IP, 2H, 0ER, 13K

As ESPN reports, cold weather made it tough for hitters, especially against two of the best pitchers in the majors, who were patrolling the mounds in Cleveland and Washington, DC.

In Cleveland, with the thermometer registering a chilly 33 degrees, Corey Kluber picked up his first win of the season, blanking the Tigers 2-0 over eight innings in the opener of a four-game series.

Last year's AL Cy Young award recipient had the Tigers flailing in the wind, allowing just two hits while fanning 13 with one walk.

The Indians got their two runs on a fifth-inning home run by Bradley Zimmer, the second-year player who has taken over the starting spot in center field.

Kluber is 1-1 after three starts, but he's pitched better than his record, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs over 23 innings. His 27 strikeouts lead the AL.

Game two is slated for Tuesday night, at 6:10 pm EDT.

National League

Scherzer: CG, SO, 2H, 10K

In Washington, the temperature was a relatively balmy 45 degrees, but with Max Scherzer toeing the rubber it might as well have been -25 for the overmatched Atlanta batters.

Scherzer went the distance for his second win against one loss, as the Nationals evened their record at 5-5 with a 2-0 triumph over the visiting Braves.

Scherzer struck out 10, didn't walk a batter and surrendered just two hits, a one-out single by Kurt Suzuki in the second inning and a leadoff single by Nick Markakis in the fifth, after which, Scherzer was perfect, setting down the final fifteen Atlanta batters in order.

The Nationals got their two runs off a first inning double by Howie Kendrick, plating Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper. Staked to that early advantage, Scherzer sliced through the Braves' lineup as only a two-time Cy Young Award winner could. Scherzer took the prize in p2016 and 2017 and is chasing a third straight.

Scherzer improved to 2-1 with his fifth career shutout. His 27 strikeouts lead the National League and are tied with Kluber atop the majors.

Game two of the three-game series starts Tuesday at 7:05 pm EDT.