Game 120 lineups: Nats at Padres (Scherzer scratched)

SAN DIEGO - The last time Max Scherzer faced the Padres, he allowed one run on three hits, struck out 13 and came within one out of a complete-game victory. That was May 26 at Nationals Park, and it was among the ace's most dominant outings of the season.

Now Scherzer gets another crack at the majors' least productive lineup, taking the mound at Petco Park tonight in the second game of this weekend series. Anytime Scherzer takes the mound, there's reason to drop whatever you're doing and tune in, just in case he makes a run at history. But there are certain Scherzer starts that appear from the outset as even more worthy of a watch than others, and tonight very well may fall into that category.

The Nationals, who have averaged only three runs per game themselves since Bryce Harper suffered his knee injury, will be looking to provide their ace with enough support tonight. They'll do so with Ryan Zimmerman getting a night off (planned, I believe), leaving Dusty Baker with a 3-4-5 of Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon and Adam Lind.

That lineup is going up against young fireballer Luis Perdomo, who impressed at times when he faced the Nationals in that same May 26 game Scherzer started before giving up a two-run homer to Michael A. Taylor in the bottom of the fourth that proved the difference in a 3-1 Nats victory.

Update: Scherzer has been scratched with the same neck issue that bothered him earlier this season when he had to leave a start in Miami on Aug. 1 in the second inning. Left-hander Matt Grace will start in his place tonight. Stay tuned for more updates.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at SAN DIEGO PADRES
Where: Petco Park
Gametime: 10:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, XM 184/869, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees, wind 9 mph left field to right field

NATIONALS (72-47)
LF Howie Kendrick
SS Wilmer Difo
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Adam Lind
C Matt Wieters
CF Michael A. Taylor
RF Andrew Stevenson
LHP Matt Grace

PADRES (54-67)
RF Manuel Margot
2B Carlos Asuaje
RF Jose Pirela
3B Yangervis Solarte
1B Wil Myers
LF Cory Spangenberg
C Austin Hedges
SS Dusty Coleman
RHP Luis Perdomo