Wire Taps: Nationals beat Marlins again; Bryce Harper swinging it; Max Scherzer swinging it...

After ending a 2-5 road trip with a win, the Nationals made it two in a row last night, with an 8-2 win over the Marlins.

“Every game is huge at this point,” Max Scherzer told reporters after he earned a “W” in the opener with the Fish.

“We’ve got to win, and we’ve got to win a lot of games. When we come to the park, we’ve got to win every single day, that’s just got to be our attitude.”

That’s a good attitude. These are your links...

NATS BEAT:

Scherzer does in Marlins on mound and on bases - (MASN)
"For his part, Scherzer continues to prove that he’s more than a one-trick pony."

At the plate and on the mound, Max Scherzer dazzles again for Nationals - (WaPost)
"The Washington Nationals remain on the outskirts of the playoff race, still within squinting distance of a spot in the postseason, because Max Scherzer is on their side."

Jeremy Hellickson to DL with wrist injury - (MLB.com)
"Martinez said the official roster move may not come until Saturday. The hope is for Hellickson to miss one start."

Ronald Acuna, Juan Soto chasing historic years - (MLB.com)
"Soto, 19, carries a 148 OPS+ (a measure of offensive production, adjusted for ballpark and era, where 100 is average). Acuna, 20, is at 145."

The Nationals have a new bullpen cart, but most of their relievers don’t expect to use it - (WaPost)
“'Absolutely not. I am not taking that thing,' Nationals reliever Koda Glover said when asked whether he would ride the team’s new bullpen cart to the mound."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Hit-by-pitch puts Cincinnati Reds' Votto on DL – 13 days later - (Cincinnati.com)
"Joey Votto went on the disabled list with the lingering effects of getting hit by Washington reliever Ryan Madson on Aug. 4."

Inside Baseball: Machado, maybe Harper like Yankees, but Phillies may be more likely - (Fancred Sports)
"There’s also been speculation connecting Harper to more different teams — the Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Phillies are among those teams — but there are hints, too, that Harper may have interest in the Yankees as well."

Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer are top two options for NL Cy Young - (NorthJersey.com)
"With the season winding down, the top candidates are starting to emerge in the awards races. Several should come down to the wire."

Ronald Acuña and Juan Soto Already Look Like Hall of Famers, but Who’s Gonna Have the Better Career? - (The Ringer)
"We, the baseball-watching public, have been blessed to witness two exceptional rookie outfielders in the National League East this year: Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña and Washington’s Juan Soto."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies recall reliever Edubray Ramos - (MLB.com)
"Hairdos aside, Ramos' return to the 'pen provides a welcome reinforcement to a Phillies bullpen that's been one of baseball's best of late."

Brandon Nimmo dodges bullet - (NY Post)
"Brandon Nimmo’s left hand remains intact, but his return to the Mets lineup might not come for another couple of days."

Jose Urena plans to appeal suspension - (MLB.com)
"Jose Urena said he'll appeal his six-game suspension, which Major League Baseball gave him Thursday for intentionally hitting Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. with a pitch Wednesday."

Adam Duvall settling in with Braves, slump notwithstanding - (AJC.com)
"Adam Duvall is feeling re-energized with his new team, even if the numbers aren’t showing it."