PHILADELPHIA -- For most pitchers, flirting with a no-hitter might be one of the most memorable days of your career. For Max Scherzer, it was just another day at the office.Scherzer didnt allow a hit until the sixth inning and he was dominant through eight as the Washington Nationals continued their mastery of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.Scherzer (15-7) allowed three hits and struck out 11 while walking one. He was perfect through the first four innings, striking out five consecutive batters -- all swinging -- between the second and third innings.He has taken a no-hitter into the sixth in nine of his 61 all-time starts with the Nationals, and has allowed just five total hits in his last two outings.Hey man, I mean thats why hes Max, Washington manager Dusty Baker said. You know we had a good chance to win when Max pitches, and theres a good chance of him going deep in the game.Ryan Howard, who got the start despite being 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts against Scherzer coming in, hit an opposite-field two-run home run in the seventh inning to break up the shutout and pull the Phillies within 3-2.But Scherzer closed the door from there, striking out three more in the seventh and eighth en route to his 15th win of the season.I knew I was throwing the ball well, I knew I had all the pitches working, I knew I could go out there and keep different looks going multiple times throughout the lineup and really sequence guys right, Scherzer said. When Im able to throw all my pitches for strikes it really allows (catcher Wilson Ramos) to do his job back there and come up with the right sequence.Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 37th save, getting a strikeout and inducing a big game-ending double play after issuing a leadoff walk.Freddy Galvis and Odubel Herrera collected the only other hits for the Phillies, who have lost six of eight to fall 12 games below .500. They have dropped their last eight games to first-place Washington, which matches the team record for consecutive losses vs. the Nationals/Expos franchise.We need to improve our plate discipline, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. Were just not getting hits. But Scherzer was dominant, youve got to give him credit. Hes a tough cookie.Scherzer, who pitched two no-hitters last season, didnt allow a runner to reach base until Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp walked with one out in the fifth. Galvis ripped a double to right-field to lead off the sixth to break up Scherzers no-hit bid, but was picked off second base by Scherzer to end the scoring threat.The Washington ace also had a sacrifice-bunt RBI in the fourth after Ryan Zimmerman walked and Danny Espinosa ripped a single.The Nationals staked Scherzer to an early lead in the first inning. With two outs and nobody on, Daniel Murphy doubled before scoring on a double by Bryce Harper, his 19th RBI in the last 19 games. Ramos brought Harper home with an RBI single to put the Nats ahead 2-0.He can smell it, Baker said. When he gets some runs, its usually a shutdown inning. He doesnt give it right back. It usually takes a while for them to score off of Max.Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (9-13), who walked just six batters in his last eight starts coming in, issued three walks and allowed five hits and three earned runs through six innings.Scherzers double-digit strikeout game was the 12th of the season, setting a Nationals record. He improved his career record to 7-1 against the Phillies, including a 6-0 mark since he joined the Nats in 2015.HOWARDS STILL GOT POPHowards homer was the 20th of the season and the 377th of his career, tying him with Jeff Kent and Norm Cash for 73rd on MLBs all-time list. His next home run will tie him with Matt Williams for 72nd place.He has 10 career 20-homer seasons, the second most in Phillies history behind only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (14).HOME-PLATE COLLISIONThe fourth inning ended when Espinosa was thrown out at the plate on a dart from Phillies right fielder Aaron Altherr. On the play, Espinosa collided with Rupp at home, which seemed to anger some Phillies.Afterwards, Mackanin admitted that he didnt think he had to bowl him over, but Howard laughed that Rupp probably liked it and thats baseball.OWNING PHILLYThe Nationals, who opened their six-game road trip with a 4-0 victory over the Phillies on Monday, are 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park this season.TRAINERS ROOMPhillies: Peter Bourjos missed his second straight game after getting hit in the left wrist by a pitch Sunday.UP NEXTThe Phillies and Nationals wrap up their three-game series Wednesday night with Philadelphia LHP Adam Morgan (1-8, 6.50) opposing LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-9, 4.25). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Freddy Galvis Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-eric-sogard-jersey/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Jesse Barfield Jersey .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Freddy Galvis Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good.Arsenal Invincible Ray Parlour says Saturdays trip to Manchester United will be a real examination of his old clubs title credentials. Old Trafford provided the backdrop for some of Parlours biggest highs and lows as an Arsenal player, a 1-0 win in May 2002 securing a Premier League and FA Cup Double barely a year on from a humiliating 6-1 defeat. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass In September 2003, the midfielder was £10,000 out of pocket for his part in the scenes that followed Ruud van Nistelrooys last-minute penalty miss in a 0-0 draw - an escape that helped mould the Gunners unbeaten Premier League season. That 2004 title was their third and most recent under Arsene Wenger, but they travel north for Saturday lunchtimes Sky Live clash unbeaten since August and within two points of top spot, having brought in the likes of Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka in the summer. The key signings for me were Mustafi and Xhaka. Those two down the spine?have been very strong. Ray Parlour Parlour told Sky Sports News HQ: I look at Arsenal now and think theyre a lot stronger.People were always waiting for that big centre forward, but the key signings for me were Mustafi and Xhaka. Those two down the spine have been very strong, especially Mustafi whos come in next to Koscielny at the back. Dont miss Manchester United v Arsenal on Saturday - upgrade to Sky Sports to get half price for six months No disrespect to Per Mertesacker, whos getting that little bit older, but sometimes Arsenal have to sit off with him in the team.dddddddddddd With Mustafi, you can push up that little bit higher and condense the space in midfield. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Its worked so far, but its such a competitive league and this will be a big test. If theyre going to win the title, they have to go to places like Old Trafford and try to get a result.Meetings with United were absolutely the biggest for Parlour, who recalls the 6-1 loss in February 2001 as an awful game to play in and says adrenalin took them to the title in 2002, despite going to Manchester without Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires. Parlour (R) and Edu were part of the Arsenal side that won the title at Old Trafford in May 2002 As for his memories of the Van Nistelrooy incident, when Martin Keown led a group of Arsenal players in taunting the Dutchman after a series of run-ins, Parlour said: We were out of order, really. Theres loads of things you do in football you regret, but we all got fined by the FA.I remember the letters coming in a couple of weeks later and we said to Martin Keown open yours up first, because you started it. He got fined £20,000, I got done £10,000, Lauren £5,000 and Ashley Cole £5,000 - bit of a nightmare, really. Martin Keown and Parlour taunt Ruud van Nistelrooy following his penalty miss in the Battle of Old Trafford in September 2003 Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Carrick: Title still on Marriner to ref game Sanchez to play for Chile Bellerin injury concern ' ' '