Scherzer tossed six innings and allowed eight hits and three solo home runs, which tied a season high. He struck out 10 and walked one, an intentional walk that led to the fourth Rockies run on a two-out Kyle Parker single in the sixth.
The Nationals loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Tommy Kahnle recorded his second career save, striking out Jayson Werth and inducing a groundout from Ian Desmond to shut the door. Washington stayed 1 1/2 games behind the Mets in the National League East.