Max Scherzer loses perfect-game bid in seventh against Brewers

The way Max Scherzer was pitching, the Milwaukee Brewers were going to need a bit of luck to even manage getting anyone on base.

They got it — barely.

Scherzer struck out a Nationals-record 16 and threw a one-hitter, losing his perfect-game bid on Carlos Gomez’s broken-bat, bloop single in the seventh inning as Washington beat the Brewers, 4-0, Sunday.

“I was able to execute every pitch for the most part where I wanted to,” Scherzer said.

Gomez opened the seventh with a looper to shallow right field that just fell inches beyond the outstretched glove of second baseman Anthony Rendon. Gomez, indeed, said he “got lucky” to get that hit off Scherzer.

“I wouldn’t imagine that that’s going to be the last opportunity that he’s going to have to do something special,” Nationals Manager Matt Williams said.

Scherzer watched the ball drop, then turned away.

“Why would I be disappointed on a broken-bat base hit? It takes luck to do that,” Scherzer said.

Scherzer set a career high for strikeouts and broke the Nationals mark of 14 set by Stephen Strasburg in his big league debut in 2010. The franchise record of 18 was set by Bill Gullickson in 1980 with Montreal — the Expos moved to Washington for the 2005 season.

Scherzer (7-5) walked one and finished the day with a 1.93 earned-run average.

Prado has shoulder sprain, is day to day

Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado left Sunday’s game against Colorado in the first inning because of a sprained right shoulder after he took a tumble trying to beat out a grounder.

Prado’s status is day to day, and he hopes to avoid a stint on the disabled list. X-rays were negative, and he’ll be further evaluated Monday before the start of a series against the Yankees.

“Right now I’m in a lot of pain,” he said. “We’ll just wait until Monday to see how it feels.”

Prado stepped awkwardly on first base, fell and landed hard on his right side. He came out of the game reluctantly after consulting with a trainer.

“All my weight landed on the shoulder,” he said. “At that moment I really didn’t feel like it was that bad, but when I rested my arm I started feeling it. After a couple minutes it was getting worse.” Prado is batting .272 and has missed only one game this year.

Etc.

The Cleveland Indians added top prospect Francisco Lindor to the roster and placed designated hitter Nick Swisher on the 15-day disabled list Sunday. … Rookie catcher Kevin Plawecki is staying with the New York Mets for now. The team optioned incumbent backup Anthony Recker to triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and decided to keep Plawecki around as starter Travis d’Arnaud works his way back into peak condition. … The Red Sox recalled infielder Travis Shaw from triple A before Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. To make room on the roster, the club demoted right-hander Matt Barnes to Pawtucket.