Nationals game blog: Max Scherzer looks for first win in over a month

By Josh Land

Nationals

September 02, 2015, 4:24pm

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ST. LOUIS - Max Scherzer takes the mound tonight in his hometown looking for his first win since July 30. The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.43 ERA while surrendering seven homers in his last five starts.

"It's a big game for us," manager Matt Williams said. "I think he's ready. He's ready to compete anytime he takes the mound. He's working hard in his bullpens and staying on top of the baseball a little bit more. The ability to throw that fastball down and away to the righties is important for him. When he's gotten hurt, it's been getting on the side of a slider or the pitch location of a fastball. He's ready."

Bryce Harper has reached base safely in 13 straight games, going 17-for-44 (.386) with one homer, six doubles, five RBIs, 12 walks and nine runs scored over the stretch.

With two walks last night, Harper became just the fifth player in baseball history with at least 30 home runs and 100 walks at age 22 or younger, joining Eddie Matthews (1954), Ted Williams (1939, 1941), Mel Ott (1929) and Jimmie Foxx (1929).

Wilson Ramos enters tonight's contest on a nine-game hitting streak, batting .394 (13-for-33) with three homers, one double, five RBIs and five runs scored over the streak. With 54 RBIs, Ramos in nearing his career-high total of 59 accomplished in 2013.

It's Grateful Dead night at Busch Stadium. My favorite Dead song is "He's Gone."