Max Scherzer returns to dominant form in Nats' 1-0 victory

MIAMI - Max Scherzer came out of his last start frustrated after surrendering a season-high three homers and losing a two-run lead in a loss to the Pirates. He vowed to get back to what was working for him when he was arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball earlier this season. Scherzer's adjustments worked, as the ace held the Marlins scoreless over seven innings, yielding just three hits with six strikeouts in the Nationals' 1-0 win.

"He was unbelievable," Wilson Ramos said. "He was aggressive all game like his normal approach. I know the last start he struggled, but today, totally different. He did his job really well."

For fear of tipping off hitters, Scherzer didn't get into specifics on what changes he made.

"He doesn't necessarily reveal it to me either," Nationals manager Matt Williams joked before the game.

But Scherzer did say he focused on sequencing his pitches a bit differently, looking to not be so predictable.

"I just wanted to get back to my strengths," Scherzer said. "Willie and I did a great job of being on the same page today. You know, pitching at that next level. It just takes time for me to articulate what I need from Willie and get on the same page with him. Kind of over the past few days just been working on seeing different situations like, 'Hey, this is the situation I would do this.' And I just felt like we were on the same page all day."

Ryan Zimmerman's second-inning solo homer turned out to be the only offense for Scherzer but the right-hander made it stand up.

"Same kind of stuff he always does," Zimmerman said casually about Scherzer. "He steps it up when he needs to. He has that extra gear. He knows how to pitch too. He mixes in sliders and changeups. That's why he's one of the best."

Scherzer, whose 21 walks are second-fewest for starters in the majors, issued three free passes for the first time in a game all season.

"My arm slot was a little low today and that was causing my fastball to not be quite as accurate," Scherzer said. "I fell behind on some counts. That's frustrating to me when I'm 2-0. That's the stuff that leads to walks. For that to be the first time I've walked three on the year, that's a good thing, but, at the same time, I can clean that up."

That innate mindset not to settle is what separates Scherzer. He attributes that aggressive approach to his stinginess dealing with hitters.

"The fact that I just pump strikes ... go right after you," Scherzer said. "And be able to throw offspeed for strikes behind in the count as well so you can never just sit fastball."

Williams credits Scherzer's ability to command his arsenal of pitches as a key leading to a 2.22 ERA, fourth-best in the majors.

"He's been able to throw any pitch at any time during the course of a game," Williams said. "(He can throw) the wipeout slider and high fastball when he needs it. Teams are aggressive against him. They know he's gonna throw strikes so he gets some early swings too."