Fister blanks Braves, continues Nationals starters' streak

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) celebrates with his teammates after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-0. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) celebrates with his teammates after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Washington. The Nationals won 7-0. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
photo Washington Nationals starting pitcher Doug Fister throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON - Doug Fister said he really hadn't heard about the scoreless-innings streak being crafted by his fellow Washington Nationals starting pitchers.

Fister allowed four hits in seven innings in another superb outing by a Washington starter, and the Nationals defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-0 on Thursday for their sixth straight win.

Washington's rotation has thrown a franchise-record 41 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in those six games, the longest streak in the major leagues since Cleveland starters strung together 44 1/3 shutout innings in May 2008.

"Guys aren't even really paying attention to it. That's what makes it great," Fister said of the streak.

In addition to not being aware of the streak, Fister said he doesn't keep track of the score when he pitches.

'And honestly when I'm at my best I have no idea what inning it is. I really try and stay simple," he said. "I want to take things one pitch at a time, and if I get anything bigger than that, I'm in trouble myself."

Next up is Max Scherzer, who starts tonight at Philadelphia. Scherzer struck out 16 in a one-hit shutout at Milwaukee on June 14, then pitched a no-hitter against Pittsburgh last Saturday, when he had a perfect game until he hit a batter with two outs in the ninth.

"There's a lot been written. We all know that," manager Matt Williams said of his rotation. "But they've got to out and pitch well, and we've got to score runs behind them to get them to this point."

Fister (3-3) made his second start since a stint on the disabled list caused by right forearm tightness. He struck out four and walked one in his longest outing of the season.

"I wanted to push myself today, and Skip let me go back out there in the seventh," Fister said after throwing 111 pitches.

Blake Treinen finished the Nationals' eighth shutout.

Washington has won eight straight games against the Braves. Ian Desmond had two hits, including a two-run homer, and every Nationals batter had at least one hit.

Braves right fielder Nick Markakis' streak of 398 games with an error, a record for non-pitchers, ended when he bobbled Denard Span's first-inning single.

Matt Wisler (1-1), who won his major league debut last week against the New York Mets, allowed six runs - four earned - and nine hits in four innings.

"My fastball command wasn't as sharp as it needed to be," he said. "Balls were staying up."

Cameron Maybin and Kelly Johnson had two hits each for Atlanta, which has scored 13 runs in its last seven games.

Braves miscues played a role in each of Washington's rallies.

"We weren't real pretty to watch today," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Let's just put it that way."

Markakis hadn't made an error since Aug. 10, 2012. He recently surpassed Darren Lewis' record of 392 consecutive errorless games.

"Nick still runs in, charges balls; he still comes in, gets around balls and tries to get, tries to make the right plays. He's not laying back," Johnson said.

The Nationals' Bryce Harper, whose right leg cramped during Wednesday night's game, and Anthony Rendon (sore left quadriceps muscle) were both given the day off.

Atlanta rookie right-hander Williams Perez (4-0), who allowed four runs in six innings in his last start, opposes Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (4-6) tonight in Pittsburgh.

Upcoming Events