Add Max Scherzer to the list of Nationals' concerns

In a season filled with inconsistencies, Max Scherzer was one of the Nationals' constants. But in the dog days of summer, even the once-dominant right-hander is floundering.

The Giants attacked Scherzer for six runs on seven hits in just three innings Friday night as the Nationals fell 8-5 for their fourth straight loss.

"The last couple times out, it hasn't been his best," Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters. "I just felt like he wasn't throwing it where he wanted to and left balls in the middle of the plate. Anybody that does that has a chance to give up some runs."

The Nationals manufactured a run in the first on Bryce Harper's sacrifice fly that scored Michael A. Taylor, but Scherzer quickly gave it back on Matt Duffy's solo homer in the bottom of the frame.

Back-to-back doubles from Brandon Crawford and Justin Maxwell to start the second led to the Giants' next run. And then after Scherzer hit Ehire Adrianza, Grego Blanco ripped another double down the right field line, plating two.

Duffy followed, smacking the fourth double of the inning off Scherzer to score the Giants' fifth run of the night.

Trailing 5-1, Williams trotted Scherzer back out for the third.

"We got to try to get innings, too," Williams explained to reporters. "We can't run through everybody in the bullpen in that regard, so we wanted to get at least another one."

The Nats ace promptly surrendered a leadoff homer to Hunter Pence. Scherzer has now been pounded for two or more homers in four of his last seven outings.

"I think it's more location than anything," Williams said to reporters. "His velocity is OK. He's running it in there at 92 (mph) to 95 like he always does. But the location .... Breaking ball for the double down the line. Fastball down and away, pretty good pitch, for the double down the line and then the homer to Pence was center cut. He's gonna compete. He'll go out there again next time and hopefully give us a win."

After overpowering hitters for the most of the season's first four months, Scherzer has been vulnerable in August. His ERA is a staggering 7.80 over three starts and opponents are hitting .306 off him. Reporters questioned Williams on whether mechanics are Scherzer's problem or if there remains a more deeply rooted health concern.

"I don't know," Williams said to reporters. "We'll get him through his next bullpen and see how he feels. He didn't have a lot of pitches unfortunately for us, but we'll see how he feels going forward."

Meanwhile, the Nationals missed a prime opportunity to gain ground on the Mets, who fell 3-2 in 10 innings to the Pirates. After dropping four straight, Washington finds itself just one game above .500 and 4 1/2 games behind the Mets in the National League East.

"Everybody is fully aware of that that sits in that clubhouse," Williams told reporters. "We have to prepare for (Saturday). It's never gonna be easy during any game. So one swing of the bat and we might just win that one (Saturday). ... You never know what can happen from there."