Nationals' Max Scherzer makes a statement in All-Star tuneup

playDaniel Murphy keeps crushing his former team, this time knocking in four RBIs in the Nationals' 6-1 win over the Mets. (1:19)FLUSHING, N.Y -- Whether it was his buzzing fastball that stymied a lefty-heavy Mets lineup or his first-to-home sprint, Washington Nationals All-Star starter Max Scherzer brought a little something extra to his game on Saturday night. That something helped the Nationals extend their NL East lead on the Mets to five games with a 6-1 win.

It seemed as if Scherzer’s seven innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts was his way of saying thank you to New York Mets manager Terry Collins for making him an All-Star after unbeaten teammate Stephen Strasburg bowed out.…