By AP
LAKELAND, FL – Max Scherzer had his first strong outing of the spring, allowing one run in five innings and the Detroit Tigers topped the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Tuesday.
Scherzer, who went 9-11 for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, entered the game with an 11.37 ERA. He retired the first nine Nationals and allowed four hits in the game.
Scott Olsen allowed six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings for the Nationals. Olsen is trying to rebound from an injury-filled 2009 season.
Brandon Inge and Gerald Laird homered off Olsen for the Tigers and rookie Austin Jackson had three hits, including two doubles, to boost his spring average to .375. Catcher Alex Avila went 3 for 3 with two doubles for Detroit.
Former Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez had a double and a single for the Nationals.