Martinez on Scherzer, Zimmerman, Adams and Voth

DETROIT - Nationals manager Davey Martinez can understand if Max Scherzer's heart is pumping a little faster for today's return to Comerica Park for the first time since 2014.

"It's exciting, exciting for him," Martinez said. "He became the Scherzer that we all know here. He's excited to pitch here. I know he is. He's ready to go."

The last time Scherzer faced the Tigers was his incredible 20-strikeout performance on May 11, 2016 in a 3-2 Nats win at Nationals Park. Scherzer allowed two runs on six hits with 20 strikeouts and no walks. He beat Jordan Zimmermann that day, his opponent today as well.

"It was a wild day," Martinez said. "Pretty awesome. Pretty amazing actually. Twenty strikeouts. That's a lot of strikeouts. I just want him to go out there and give us a quality start like he always does and we score some runs."

* Despite coming into the series with six homers in 11 games, Matt Adams today finally makes his first start since Thursday. Adams bats sixth and will play first base against Zimmermann.

Martinez said Adams is unique in the way he can stay hot at the plate despite a lack of everyday starts.

"His work ethic is incredible. He swings a lot (in practice)," Martinez said. "Just now it's about keeping him engaged. Trying to get him on the days he don't play, at least get him an at-bat, pinch-hit somehow, just to keep him going. Him and Howie (Kendrick) have been really good back there. I think together they're one of the best first base combinations right now in the league. Then you throw in a guy like (Ryan) Zimmerman in the mix now. For me, it's a good problem to have ... cause if we can keep all of them healthy and keep them going."

Martinez reiterated that he needs to find a way to get Zimmerman at-bats as well. But with Kendrick, Zimmerman and Adams all available and healthy, a there's a logjam at first base.

"For right now, Zim is going to go through a period," Martinez said. "He is still getting ready. And I told him, these guys have to play and he understands that. But we need to get you going as well. He's a guy that can carry us for six, seven, eight weeks, two months, whatever. I do believe that so I want to make sure that he gets his at-bats as well and we keep them all going."

* Right-hander Austin Voth admitted he wasn't as sharp as he had hoped to be in Saturday's 4 1/3 innings of work versus Detroit. Martinez appreciated the fight he saw from the 27-year-old.

"He didn't have his best stuff yesterday and we talked about that," Martinez said. "But he competed. He was around the strike zone. He didn't get erratic. I like what I saw. He's a young pitcher. Second start this year here. We got to give him an opportunity. See what he does in his next start."

Voth did not let the six hits he allowed get under his skin. Martinez likes the way Voth remained stoic and focused throughout the start, even though it wasn't going as smoothly as his first start last week against the Braves.

"He is very poised. I really like that about him," Martinez said. "He doesn't show his emotions at all. Sometimes to a point where I'm trying to watch him to see where he is struggling, if he struggles. But it's a good thing. I told him, 'You gave us what you can. Proud of you. Let's figure out how to get better for your next start.' "

Could Voth be the guy that solidifies that fifth starter spot?

"It would be great," the skipper said. "But he's our fifth starter right now. We're going to try to get him going and keep him going."