Strasburg dominant after relieving Scherzer in NL wild-card game

Stephen Strasburg to the rescue.

Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer was lifted for pinch hitter Brian Dozier in the bottom of the fifth inning of Tuesday's National League wild-card game. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out six against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Strasburg took Scherzer's place on the mound in the top of the sixth with the Nats trailing 3-1 in the must-win game. One of Washington's three aces alongside Scherzer and Patrick Corbin, Strasburg was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 33 starts this season.

He delivered with three scoreless frames, striking out four on 34 pitches while allowing just two hits.

Scherzer served up a pair of home runs but settled down with three spotless innings before turning the ball over to Strasburg. If the Nationals' offense can't muster a comeback, their season will be over and the Brewers will advance to the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.