Scherzer not issuing free passes, Nats offense scuffling entering Giants series

The Nationals wasted another incredible pitching performance from Max Scherzer in last night's 2-1 walk-off loss in Atlanta. The Braves combined an infield single and a chopper that bounced over Yunel Escobar's head to score the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Scherzer has a decision in all but one of his starts this season, with the Nationals holding a 10-6 record when their ace pitches. But in Scherzer's six losses, the Nationals have managed to score a combined seven runs.

Scherzer's impeccable control and command was on display once again last night against the Braves. He struck out nine batters without issuing a walk.

"Another outing with no walks," Scherzer said to reporters after the loss. "I mean, that's why I'm able to go out there in the ninth. When Willie (Ramos) and I get to going and we can sequence guys, we can do some pretty good stuff."

Opponents haven't drawn a walk from Scherzer in the last 27 innings spanning four starts. His astonishing 9.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio leads the majors by a significant margin.

"That's just a result of attacking early in the count and making sure you get to two strikes before two balls," Scherzer said to reporters. "When you put yourself in position like that, that keeps you from falling behind where you do let guys get on base. So that's something I'm extremely proud of is no free passes over here for the past couple games. That just shows you that I'm attacking the zone."

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants make their first return to Nationals Park since last year's 18-inning epic battle in Game 2 of the National League Division Series. The Nationals were plagued by an anemic offense that only produced nine runs in the four games last October, leading to their postseason elimination.

The Nationals enter this weekend series with their offense scuffling again. Two Braves rookies held the Nats to a combined two runs and nine hits in the final two losses in Atlanta.

The Giants have activated right-hander Jake Peavy for tonight's start against lefty Gio Gonzalez. Peavy, who beat the Nats in Game 1 of the NLDS last year, had been out since April 17 with a back strain.

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner, last year's World Series MVP, will face right-hander Stephen Strasburg tomorrow.

Right-handers Ryan Volgelsong and Jordan Zimmermann will square off in the series finale on Sunday night. Zimmermann has pitched masterfully in his last two starts with no walks over 15 2/3 scoreless innings.

All three games have special start times. Tonight's first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. with fireworks following the game. Saturday's game time is 11:05 a.m. and Sunday's will start at 8:08 p.m. to accommodate the national television audience.

The first 25,000 fans through the gates on Sunday will receive a Stephen Strasburg bobblehead commemorating the right-hander's 14-strikeout major league debut.