{"id":1315396,"date":"2019-10-07T23:08:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-08T05:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5\/"},"modified":"2019-10-07T23:08:01","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T05:08:01","slug":"scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Scherzer, Zimmerman lead Nats past LA 6-1 to force Game 5"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.9385135135135\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-988815-793\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer walks back to the dugout during the first inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer walks back to the dugout during the first inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer walks back to the dugout during the first inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor (3) in the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor (3) in the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-1.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor (3) in the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson, back left, strikes out swinging against Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer, right, during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki, back right, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"5.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"22\">\n<p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers&#8217; Joc Pederson, back left, strikes out swinging against Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer, right, during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki, back right, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-2.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Los Angeles Dodgers' Joc Pederson, back left, strikes out swinging against Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer, right, during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki, back right, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-3.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) is greeted by teammates in the dugout in the middle of the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) is greeted by teammates in the dugout in the middle of the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-4.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) is greeted by teammates in the dugout in the middle of the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May (85) throws against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May (85) throws against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-5.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May (85) throws against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-6.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman celebrating his three-run homer off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) with teammate Howie Kendrick in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington.(AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"14\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman celebrating his three-run homer off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) with teammate Howie Kendrick in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington.(AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-6.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman celebrating his three-run homer off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) with teammate Howie Kendrick in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington.(AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-7.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) looks away after giving up a three-run homer to Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) looks away after giving up a three-run homer to Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-7.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) looks away after giving up a three-run homer to Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) during the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Patrick Semansky)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-8.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, back right, hits a three-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Dodgers catcher Will Smith, back left, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"4.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"20\">\n<p><strong>Washington Nationals&#8217; Ryan Zimmerman, back right, hits a three-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Dodgers catcher Will Smith, back left, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-8.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, back right, hits a three-run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (52) in the fifth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. Dodgers catcher Will Smith, back left, and umpire Doug Eddings, back center, look on. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-9.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"AP | AP | Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) misses a ball hit by Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) in the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) misses a ball hit by Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) in the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/strong><br \/>AP | AP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/10\/NLDS_Dodgers_Nationals_Baseball_00280-411ae-9.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger (35) misses a ball hit by Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner (7) in the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">WASHINGTON \u2014 Max Scherzer is 35. So is Ryan Zimmerman.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Washington Nationals would not be headed to a win-or-go-home Game 5 in their NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers without them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe\u2019re a bunch of viejos. We\u2019re old guys,\u201d Scherzer joked. \u201cOld guys can still do it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Sure can. And for a guy whose teams used to lose repeatedly in the postseason, Scherzer sure is delivering now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Every time he\u2019s pitched this October, the Nationals have won. His latest outing was a season-saving, seven-inning masterpiece that combined with Zimmerman\u2019s three-run parabola of a homer to lift the wild-card Nationals to a 6-1 victory over league-best Los Angeles on Monday night, tying the best-of-five NLDS at two games apiece.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI was just gassed. I was out,\u201d said Scherzer, who threw 109 pitches. \u201cI was empty in the tank.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Scowling and muttering to himself as showers fell for part of his gritty performance, Scherzer allowed one run and four hits while striking out nine \u2014 and, most importantly for Washington, he prevented LA from closing out the NLDS after taking a 2-1 lead into Game 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cHe really gave it all he had,\u201d said Anthony Rendon, who drove in three runs for Washington.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">With fans who braved rain chanting, \u201cBeat LA!\u201d in the late going, Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson combined to get the last six outs for Washington, which will send Stephen Strasburg to the mound against Walker Buehler on Wednesday night at Los Angeles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIf I could bet, I\u2019d bet on him,\u201d Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton said about Strasburg. \u201cHe\u2019s a very good pitcher. A polished pitcher. To have him healthy and ready to go in that situation only boosts our confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Whichever team advances to the NL Championship Series will face the Braves or Cardinals next. Their NLDS heads to a Game 5 at Atlanta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Zimmerman showed what he still can do at the plate by taking a 97 mph pitch, the second thrown by reliever Pedro Baez, and turning it into a high-arching 400-foot-plus rainbow that descended onto the green batter\u2019s eye in straightaway center field for a three-run shot that made it 5-1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cZim put a really good swing on it,\u201d Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That was after Julio Urias, LA\u2019s third pitcher and the one charged with the loss, began the fifth by serving up a line-drive single to Trea Turner, who finished with three hits. Rendon, who led the majors with 126 RBIs during the regular season but entered Monday with just one in the playoffs, delivered a run-scoring single that made it 2-1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Rendon also brought home runs via sacrifice flies in the third and sixth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That was plenty for Scherzer, who clenched his teeth while getting through his last inning after loading the bases by issuing a pair of walks with one out in the seventh. But he got out of that by striking out pinch-hitter Chris Taylor and getting Joc Pederson \u2014 whose liner on a first-pitch cut landed about an inch foul \u2014 to ground out.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Scherzer shook his arms and yelled as he stalked to the home dugout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cYou can\u2019t say enough about his compete,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cHe just sort of wills his way to getting outs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Dodgers\u2019 lone run came when Justin Turner connected for a no-doubt-about-it homer to left on Scherzer\u2019s 10th pitch, a 95 mph fastball. But from there, facing an LA lineup stacked with a half-dozen lefty hitters, Scherzer displayed the sort of ornery dominance that helped him win three Cy Young Awards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cHe might look like a maniac out there,\u201d catcher Kurt Suzuki said, \u201cbut he\u2019s smart.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Scherzer entered these playoffs on a skid: His teams, Detroit and Washington, had been 0-7 in his most recent seven postseason appearances. But the Nationals won the NL wild-card game last week, which he started; Game 2 of the NLDS, when Scherzer struck out all three batters he faced in relief of Strasburg; and now Game 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Scherzer said a Game 5 appearance was out of the question.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThat pushed me all the way to the edge and then some,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, yeah, I can\u2019t imagine any scenario where I\u2019m pitching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">LA\u2019s own three-time Cy guy, Clayton Kershaw, will be available to follow Buehler, Roberts said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Dodgers are trying to get to the NLCS for the fourth year in a row, while the Nationals have never been to that round since moving from Montreal in 2005. Washington will be playing in its fourth NLDS Game 5 in the past eight years; the Nats are 0-3 so far, with all those losses at home, including against the Dodgers in 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Zimmerman for so many years was the face of the franchise for the Nationals, who made him their first draft pick 14 years ago. So he\u2019s been through all their highs, including four NL East titles, and lows, including early exit after early exit in the playoffs. He no longer is an everyday player \u2014 Game 4 marked his second start of this postseason \u2014 and his teammate-mandated dugout dance after his homer consisted of pretending to use a walker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cHe\u2019s been here forever,\u201d Rendon said. \u201cMan, he means everything to this city, to this team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">This could be a last hurrah for Zimmerman with the Nationals, who hold an $18 million contract option on him in 2020. He insists he\u2019s not thinking about the future, other than figuring that he\u2019ll continue playing beyond this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of people,\u201d Zimmerman said, \u201cthat think these are my last games.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That prompted Scherzer to pipe up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI really don\u2019t think,\u201d Scherzer said, \u201cthese are his last games.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">TRAINER\u2019S ROOM<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Nationals: CF Victor Robles was out of the starting lineup for the second game in a row after straining his right hamstring in Game 2.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">UP NEXT<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Game 5 starting pitchers both already have shown what they can do in this series. Buehler allowed just one hit in six innings and got the win in LA\u2019s 6-0 victory at home in Game 1 last Thursday. Strasburg started Game 2 a night later, a 4-2 Washington victory, and took a perfect game into the fifth inning while outdueling Kershaw. Strasburg struck out 10 and gave up just one run in six innings, leaving his career postseason ERA at 0.64 \u2014 the best in history for pitchers with at least four starts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">More AP baseball: <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/MLB\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/apnews.com\/MLB<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP%E2%80%94Sports\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/AP\u2014Sports<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/sports\/scherzer-zimmerman-lead-nats-past-la-6-1-to-force-game-5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer walks back to the dugout during the first inning in Game 4 of a baseball National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Julio Cortez)AP | AP Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after striking out Los Angeles Dodgers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1315396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-09-06 20:11:53","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1315396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1315396"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1315396\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1315396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1315396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1315396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}