Max Scherzer dominates Marlins in 5-0 win (Bryce Harper injured)

The Nationals suffered yet another injury moments after the start of today's game.

Anthony Rendon singled to lead off the game. After Marlins starter Brad Hand struck out Yunel Escobar, Bryce Harper grounded to shortstop Miguel Rojas, who forced Rendon at second.

On Jayson Werth's ensuing grounder, Rojas fired to first baseman Justin Bour to end the inning. Harper was running hard to second on the play and collided with Derek Dietrich as he rounded the bag. The nasty collision left Harper on his back and shaken up.

Nationals manager Matt Williams and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz hurried out to check on Harper, who attempted to stay in the game but was finally convinced to head to the clubhouse.

The Nationals say Harper was removed for precautionary reasons. He did not appear to hit his head at any point during the collision.

Matt den Dekker entered the game in left field with Werth shifting over to right.

Update: Hand battled command issues in the third leading to the Nationals' first run. Rendon walked with one out and Escobar followed with a single. Hand issued a free pass to Werth to load the bases and then walked Ian Desmond on four pitches, bringing Rendon across the plate.

Right-hander Max Scherzer has opened with three scoreless frames, allowing two hits with three strikeouts.

Update II: Hand walked Michael A. Taylor to start the fourth and Tyler Moore followed with a single. After Scherzer advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, Rendon ripped a base knock to left, plating Taylor.

Marlins manager Dan Jennings ended Hand's afternoon. Right-hander Jose Urena entered the game, immediately walking Escobar to load the bases.

Werth then smoked a two-out single to center, scoring Rendon.

Update III: den Dekker belted his third home run of the year with two outs in the sixth.

Update IV: The Nationals added another run in the ninth on Wilson Ramos' RBI groundout that scored Werth.

Left-hander Felipe Rivero will start the ninth.

Scherzer threw eight scoreless innings, yielding just five hits with no walks and six strikeouts.

Update V: Rivero finished off the Marlins in the ninth.

The Nationals beat the Marlins 5-0.