GAME IN A NUTSHELL: With the series hanging in the balance and every game carrying more weight as the calendar approaches August and the Mets looming in the rear view mirror, the Nationals very much needed Thursday’s matinee at Marlins Park. So they turned to their ace, their longtime slugger, their former closer and their new closer to pull off a 1-0 victory.
Ryan Zimmerman provided all of the offense, launching a leadoff homer in the top of the second off old pal Dan Haren. The Nationals did nothing else of real consequence at the plate, but they didn’t need it because Scherzer was in top form.