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Associated Press 9y

LEADING OFF: Scherzer set for 1st start since no-hitter

MLB, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Friday:

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CHASING VANDER MEER

Max Scherzer makes his first start since throwing a no-hitter against Pittsburgh last Saturday when the Nationals open a weekend series at Philadelphia. Scherzer, who struck out 16 in a one-hit shutout at Milwaukee on June 14 in his previous outing, will be seeking to match Johnny Vander Meer's feat of throwing no-hitters in consecutive starts. Vander Meer did it for Cincinnati in 1938.

SECOND START

The Marlins will send left-hander Justin Nicolino out for his second career start in the series opener against the NL West-leading Dodgers. Nicolino, who threw seven shutout innings against Cincinnati to win his major league debut, will be opposed by Los Angeles' Brett Anderson (3-4, 3.29 ERA). "I get nervous before every game, no matter when it is and who it's against," Nicolino said. "It's just a matter of going out there and throwing my game."

BENCH CLEARERS

When the A's played at Kansas City in April, the benches cleared during all three games. The defending AL champion Royals will be in Oakland for three games this weekend. "Water under the bridge. Just play baseball, that's the way I look at it," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "That was an uncomfortable three-game series to have to play through."

BOUNCING BACK

Tim Hudson (5-6, 4.52) starts for the Giants in the opener against the Rockies. Since giving up eight runs in a season-low 3 2/3 innings in Colorado a month ago, Hudson has rebounded with a 3.50 ERA in 30 1/3 innings. He's 5-4 with a 4.77 ERA in 18 starts against the Rockies.

ON THE MEND

Rangers outfielder Delino DeShields (left hamstring strain) will work out for the third consecutive day, and if all goes well will start a rehab assignment Saturday. He has been on the DL since June 15, and the earliest he could come back would be Tuesday. ... Tigers catcher Alex Avila, on the disabled list since May 8 with a loose body in his left knee, is to begin a rehab assignment with Toledo. Manager Brad Ausmus said Avila will alternate catching the first six days with the Mudhens. He will be evaluated after next Friday's game

STRUGGLING

Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello (4-8, 5.61 ERA) will be looking to end a streak of losing six straight starts since winning at Seattle on May 16 when he faces the Rays and right-hander Alex Colome (3-3).

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