Nats’ ace Scherzer leaves with injury

WASHINGTON — Nationals ace Max Scherzer has been pulled from his start against Pittsburgh because of an apparent injury to his right leg.

The NL East champions didn’t provide immediate word on the extent of Scherzer’s condition Saturday night. Scherzer stumbled on a 2-2 pitch to Josh Bell in the fourth inning. Scherzer then began to throw a fullcount pitch, but abruptly stopped when time was called.

Washington manager Dusty Baker, pitching coach Mike Maddux and team trainers visited the mound and quickly took out Scherzer. catcher for the first time in his career and got one out on the mound. He was the first player to accomplish the feat since Shane Halter for Detroit against Minnesota on Oct. 1, 2000.

Giancarlo Stanton has one game left to get to 60 home runs.

The All-Star slugger went 1 for 5 with an RBI single in the Miami Marlins’ 10-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Manager Don Mattingly plans to move him to the leadoff spot for Sunday’s season finale to try to get him more plate appearances.

“I told him I was going to lead him off after the game,” Mattingly said.

“First I wanted to make sure he wanted to play, you never know, so he did and then I told him I wanted him to lead off. He was good (with the decision), he was fine.” —AP