Final
Marlins-Nationals Preview
Aug 28, 2015 - 4:56 AM It's been five seasons since Max Scherzer lost three straight starts, and slightly longer since he went a full calendar month without a victory.The right-hander looks to keep both from happening Friday night when his Washington Nationals host the Miami Marlins.
In his first season as a full-time starter with Arizona in 2009, Scherzer (11-10, 2.79 ERA) went 0-2 with a 3.48 ERA in four April starts. Since, he's earned at least one winning decision in a month that's featured more than three games - a run that's in jeopardy heading into his final outing of August.
Scherzer, who then would throw Sept. 2 at St. Louis, is 0-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts this month and in danger of losing three straight for the first time since May 2010. Though he hasn't completed more than six innings in any of those outings and has yielded five homers this month, Scherzer is not discouraged.
''I've been pitching with good stuff,'' he said after allowing three runs, eight hits and walking three in six-plus innings of last Thursday's 3-2 loss at Colorado. ''I just got to get back on track and keep going forward and keep pitching well, no matter what."
Scherzer is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA this season against Miami (51-77), which has totaled 13 runs while losing six of seven.
Washington (64-62) trails the NL East-leading New York Mets by 6 1/2 games, but has averaged 6.4 runs while winning four of five. Ryan Zimmerman, who homered for the second time in three games in Thursday's 4-2 win over San Diego, has nine RBIs in the last four contests.
He went 1 for 16 in his first five games against the Marlins this season but is 5 for 15 over the last four.
Washington, however, won't have Denard Span, who is headed back to the disabled list with hip inflammation. The center fielder played only two games since he was activated Tuesday from a DL stint that began July 10 because of back tightness.
Michael Taylor started in center Thursday but his status remains uncertain after he left with a knee contusion. Third baseman Yunel Escobar also is day to day with a hand contusion.
''I don't know if I've ever seen anything like (the injuries of the season),'' manager Matt Williams said. ''But it is what it is. There's not much you can do about it.''
The Nationals get their first look at Adam Conley (1-1, 4.88), who walked four but allowed one run in six innings of a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday in his fourth career start. Miami scored 37 runs in his first three starts.
''It's not going to happen every time for us, but the mission is still the same," the left-hander said.
Martin Prado is 6 for 13 against Scherzer, and batting .348 in the last six games.
Christian Yelich went 2 for 3 off Scherzer earlier this season, but he could miss a second straight contest with a bruised right knee. It's the same knee that landed him on the DL from Aug. 10 until Tuesday.
- MIAMI: 4
WASHINGTON: 3
Final
Aug 28 9:55 PM - Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly to center fielder Ozuna, Werth scored.
Marlins 4, Nationals 3 Bot 6, 1 OutAug 28 8:44 PM - Ryan Zimmerman out on a sacrifice fly to deep center field to Marcell Ozuna. Jayson Werth scores.
Marlins 4, Nationals 3 Bot 6, 0 OutsAug 28 8:44 PM - Prado homered to left on a 2-2 count, D.Gordon scored.
Marlins 3, Nationals 1 Top 3, 1 OutAug 28 7:46 PM - Martin Prado homers to left field. Dee Gordon scores.
Marlins 3, Nationals 1 Top 3, 1 OutAug 28 7:46 PM - Derek Dietrich doubles to deep right center field. Martin Prado scores.
Marlins 1, Nationals 0 Top 1, 2 OutsAug 28 7:11 PM - Dee Gordon grounds out to second base, Trea Turner to Ryan Zimmerman.
Aug 28 7:07 PM - MIAMI: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Aug 28 7:05 PM
Related News
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Getting more pitching in 2024 + more... Dec 26
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Keibert Ruiz, CS% and more… Dec 22
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Stephen Strasburg retirement?; 40-man spot + more... Dec 21
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Joey Meneses & DH duties vs playing the field… Dec 19
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Dylan Floro looks to bounce back after down ‘23 campaign... Dec 18
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Nick Senzel talks joining Nats, playing third every day + more... Dec 15
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Nationals’ rotation plans; 6-man rotation talk + more… Dec 14
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats announce signings - Dylan Floro and Nick Senzel Dec 13
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Davey Martinez on shaking up his coaching staff... Dec 12
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Nats look to future; talk prospects... Dec 11
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Rule 5 pick Nasim Nuñez; a defense-first bench option for 2024 Nats... Dec 8
- Washington Nationals news & notes: GM Mike Rizzo & Davey Martinez on HR power, third & first base... Dec 7