ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Max Scherzer was roughed up again by the Houston Astros, this time in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.
The right-hander's first start for the Texas Rangers in more than a month ended after four innings and with the Astros leading 5-0 on Wednesday night.
Scherzer gave up three runs in the second on a wild pitch and Martín Maldonado’s two-run single, then allowed Jose Altuve's leadoff homer in the third.
Houston took a 5-0 lead on Mauricio Dubón's RBI single in the fourth, when Scherzer struck out Jeremy Peña and Maldonado with a man on.
Scherzer was dealing with forearm tightness six weeks ago when he allowed seven runs — all on three homers — over three innings in the Astros’ 12-3 win. He exited after 5 1/3 scoreless innings six days later, on Sept. 12 at Toronto, before going on the injured list because of the shoulder strain.
Scherzer has had second consecutive rough post-season start, allowing five runs and five hits with a walk, a hit batter and four strikeouts In the Wild Card Series with the New York Mets last season, he gave up seven runs and seven hits, including four homers, over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-1 loss to San Diego. Scherzer was acquired by Texas from a Mets in a deadline deal this summer.
The 39-year-old Scherzer became the second pitcher to start for five teams in the post-season following appearances for Detroit, Washington, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. He entered with a 7-7 post-season record.
David Wells started for Cincinnati, Baltimore, the Yankees, Boston and San Diego from 1989-2006.
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