Wire Taps: National force Game 5, beat Dodgers, 6-1; Max Scherzer dominates; Ryan Zimmerman homers; Stephen Strasburg up next...

There will be a Game 5. Ryan Zimmerman wishes you would stop acting like he’s retiring.

Max Scherzer defended Zimmerman when someone asked about a “last game” question one too many times.

But what a game that was. And what a crowd in Nationals Park. And Zim’s HR? I mean, that was exciting right? Just don’t ask him to describe the experience.

Do we really have to wait until tomorrow night? Really. But we were having so much fun. You’ll have to settle for reading these links for now. Go read your links.

NATS BEAT:

Zimmerman/Rendon Stories:

Anthony Rendon will savor Game 5 in Los Angeles - (Washington Times)
"Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, who may have played his last game at Nationals Park on Monday, was asked what it means to advance to Game 5 on Wednesday night in the NLDS."

Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman night to remember - (Washington Times)
"It's not quite time for Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman to say goodbye yet. They have business still ahead in Nationals uniforms."

Rendon ignites Nats: He 'makes our lineup go' - (MLB.com)
"Anthony Rendon has been the lifeblood of the Nationals’ offense all season. When in danger of flatlining, he helped keep Washington alive for at least one more day."

Scherzer Stories:

Max Scherzer is Max Scherzer again, and the Nationals’ season lives because of it - (WaPost)
"He hasn’t been himself recently, this three-time Cy Young winner. He was Monday night..."

Scherzer empties tank for seven innings in Nats' 6-1 win - (MASN)
"Max Scherzer had allowed only three hits and one run in six frames against the vaunted Dodgers lineup. He had thrown 82 pitches."

Facing elimination, Nats ride Max's gem to G5 - (MLB.com)
"'What an incredible performance by Max tonight,' Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. 'He gave it everything he had.'"

NLDS Stories:

The Dodgers hoped to avoid a Game 5 in L.A., but they’re familiar with the pressure - (WaPost)
"The Dodgers certainly didn’t want to be flying home for a decisive fifth contest after falling to the Nationals, 6-1, in Game 4, but it’s a scenario they’ve been in before and are comfortable with, specifically against Washington."

Behind biggest stars, Nationals force another Game 5 (updated) - (MASN)
"The Nationals’ chances of beating the Dodgers in this National League Division Series have always rested on the shoulders of the very best players on their roster."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Ryan Zimmerman, an original National, gives Washington life with key 3-run shot - (ESPN)
"For more than six seconds, the ball hung in the air, as if the moment were not dramatic enough already."

Grunting Max Scherzer Gave The Nationals Everything He Had, And Just What They Needed - (Deadspin)
"Davey Martinez and the Washington Nationals didn’t resort to another bullpen appearance from a starting pitcher Monday night, thank God. That’s a gimmick that was bound to fail the more it’s used..."