Matt Williams lets Max Scherzer battle

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams sent pitching coach Steve McCatty to the mound in the third inning to check on Max Scherzer. The Nats ace was running near the 55-pitch total that Williams had in mind for his new right-hander who was only making his second start of the exhibition season.

"He got in a little trouble there in the last inning, but he wanted to work through that, too," Williams said. "Just a touch high in his pitch count probably, but he was feeling good so he'll be ready for his next one. He looked good to me."

Scherzer was able to get out of the third inning and ended up allowing one run while scattering six hits in his 47-pitch, 33-strike outing that also included three strikeouts. Williams said the next step for Scherzer is to reach four to five innings or around 60 pitches in his next start.

Taylor Jordan came on after Scherzer and pitched two scoreless frames. It was an encouraging sign for Williams after Jordan struggled in his first outing giving up three runs on three hits, including a homer, in just one inning of work against the Braves last Friday.

"Better command, especially out of the stretch, which is nice to see," Williams said. "That's the tell-tale sign for me that he's throwing it where he wants to."

Jordan Zimmermann is scheduled to pitch against the Tigers tomorrow at Space Coast Stadium (1 p.m. on MASN HD). Williams said Stephen Strasburg will pitch the following day and will reach around 50 pitches while Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez may throw fewer because of low pitch totals in their first starts.

Danny Espinosa doubled to the gap in left-center off a Dan Haren breaking ball for his first hit of the exhibition season from the right-side of the plate against a right-handed pitcher. He grounded out to short in his second at-bat against another righty, Tom Koehler.

"The thing that we're concerned about is him swinging at balls in the strike zone, which he's been doing a good job," Williams said. "So he's got a bunch of at-bats here, but he also got a bunch of at-bats in the minor leagues off of live pitching, so that's a good progression for him. I think he's right on schedule, more and more comfortable every day."

Michael A. Taylor made his second start of the Grapefruit League season in center field today and in the leadoff spot. The highly ranked prospect will receive the majority of reps in center field during the spring now that Denard Span is out recovering from core muscle surgery. Williams is comfortable with the 23-year-old handling the pressure.

"We saw it last year. He got a chance to play in the big leagues last year," Williams said. "Had a great first game. Hit a homer in the first game. That being said, he's been there, he's had the experience. He understands it so all that makes me believe he's got a chance. Certainly his talent dictates all of that. We're pressed with a situation that we're in right now and we need somebody to step up."

The Nationals bats will get a true test tomorrow when the Tigers throw former American League Cy Young Award winner David Price. The 6-foot-6 lefty led the majors in strikeouts last season with 271.

Note: The Nationals made their first cut, reassigning left-hander Matt Purke to minor league camp after today's game.