WASHINGTON -- Max Scherzer compared the atmosphere of pitching in the Midsummer Classic to the postseason, a fact that would only be amplified by starting this game in his home ballpark. And being given the chance to measure himself against the best on this sort of stage is the reason Scherzer relishes pitching in games such as Tuesday's 89th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.
Scherzer, who has won the past two National League Cy Young Awards, struck out four and gave up a run in two innings to start the game for the NL All-Star team, which eventually lost to the American League, 8-6, in 10 innings.