By Brian McNally, The Associated Press
September 30, 2017
Pittsburgh Pirates' Sean Rodriguez scores on a Max Moroff triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Washington. The Pittsburgh Pirates won the game 4-1. (Mark Tenally/AP)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nationals ace Max Scherzer was pulled with a hamstring cramp while tuning up for the playoffs, and NL East champion Washington lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1 Saturday night.
The Nationals said Scherzer was sent for a precautionary MRI on his right hamstring. Manager Dusty Baker didn't elaborate on the severity of the injury.
Scherzer, who leads the NL in strikeouts and is 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA, was preparing for the Nationals' matchup against the Chicago Cubs in the best-of-five Division Series that begins Friday in Washington. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner stumbled on a 2-2 pitch to Josh Bell in the fourth inning, briefly hopped around the mound and bent over at the waist.
Scherzer then began to throw a full-count pitch, but abruptly stopped when time was called.
Baker, pitching coach Mike Maddux and team trainers visited the mound and quickly took out Scherzer.
Scherzer had given up one hit and struck out five, raising his total to 268, in 3 1/3 scoreless innings when he was hurt.
The Pirates rallied with four runs in the ninth inning off Brandon Kintzler (2-1). Sean Rodriguez singled home the tying run with Pittsburgh trailing 1-0 and down to its final strike. Max Moroff later hit a bases-loaded triple.
George Kontos (1-6) got the win and Felipe Rivero had his 21st save.
Ryan Zimmerman hit an RBI single in the second off Jameson Taillon, who gave up four hits in seven innings.
HARPER AGAIN IN LINEUP
A day after saying he wouldn't use Bruce Harper, Baker started the 2015 NL MVP. Harper returned this week from a hyperextended left knee that kept him out more than six weeks. Harper posted his second consecutive 0-for-4 day at the plate.
Baker said Harper came through Friday's game with limited soreness and is getting the outfielder ready for the playoffs.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: CF Andrew McCutchen was scratched just 90 minutes before the game with left foot discomfort after fouling a ball off that foot in Friday's loss to Washington. McCutchen, in the original lineup batting third, was seen limping badly in the Pirates clubhouse before the game.
Nationals: Washington 3B Anthony Rendon asked for a night off and Baker granted it. Rendon told Baker "he's a little fatigued" after playing 146 games this season, but plans to play in Sunday's regular-season finale. . The Nationals reinstated IF Stephen Drew from the 60-day DL and placed RHP Sean Kelley (bone chips, right elbow) on the 60-day DL.
UP NEXT
Pirates: LHP Steven Brault (1-0, 3.86 ERA) closes the season for Pittsburgh. He has never faced the Nationals. The International League pitcher of the year (10-5, 1.94 ERA, 20 starts) has a 2.81 ERA in his three starts.
Nationals: LHP Gio Gonzalez (15-7. 2.68 ERA) gets the final regular-season start for Washington. Gonzalez has a chance to set his career low in ERA, which was 2.89 in 2012, when he finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
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