Nationals' starters set franchise record with scoreless innings streak

Washington Nationals starting pitchers have cemented their names in the team record books.

Washington's starters extended their combined scoreless innings streak to a franchise-record 39 1/3 innings and counting after Doug Fister hurled five shutout innings Thursday afternoon versus the Atlanta Braves. Fister then tacked on two more scoreless frames before making way for the bullpen to push the streak to 41 1/3 innings and counting.

The previous franchise mark of 39 consecutive scoreless frames was held by the 1981 Montreal Expos.

"It's impressive," shortstop Ian Desmond told reporters. "It just shows how good [the starting pitchers] are. On paper, they're good, but being out here, if you guys are watching at home, don't take it for granted, because this is a really special group of pitchers we have."

Joe Ross, Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Fister have all contributed to the fabulous run.

Scherzer, who no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday, will get the ball for Friday's contest with the Philadelphia Phillies.

"Any time Max has the ball in his hands, we expect to win," outfielder Clint Robinson said.