Wire Taps: Nationals battle back for 3-2 win over Pirates; Max Scherzer faces Bucs this afternoon...

With a comeback win in yesterday’s game, the Washington Nationals set up a rubber match with the Pittsburgh Pirates in which Max Scherzer will face off against Jameson Taillon. It’s a big matchup on the mound with Scherzer starting a day later than expected after he took a comebacker off the right ankle last time out. How will Scherzer do? Will the Nationals earn a series win? We’ll find out at 1:35 PM EDT in D.C. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

After drama on ice, a comeback on the diamond - (MASN)
"Eaton’s game-tying homer off Rodríguez got the Nationals off the mat. A mere 43 seconds later, Howie Kendrick’s game-winning homer off Rodríguez’s very next pitch propelled them to an unlikely 3-2 victory."

Just like that, Adam Eaton, Howie Kendric go back to back - (MLB.com)
"Eaton and Kendrick’s heroics capped an exhilarating eighth inning at Nationals Park, a frame that had been a nightmare for Washington through the start of this season."

Back-to-back home runs rescue Nationals against Pirates - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Eaton was on base three times Saturday. His first at-bat lasted 10 pitches before a single. He singled again in the third inning. Eaton picked up two of the four hits Pirates starter Chris Archer allowed."

"Same approach" helps Anthony Rendon stay red hot at the plate - (MASN)
"[Davey] Martinez has mentioned before what it was like to have to face Rendon when he was scouting the talented third baseman as the bench coach with the Cubs."

Rendon's double makes Nationals history - (MLB.com)
"Rendon’s double marked the 10th consecutive game he has recorded an extra-base hit, setting a new Nationals club record (2005-present) that surpassed Ryan Zimmerman's nine-game streak from 2017."

Williams is next man up in ever-changing bullpen - (MASN)
"Austen Williams figured something was up when he was summoned out of Fresno’s bullpen in the third inning of Friday night’s game at Las Vegas."

Nationals call up spring training standout Austen Williams to replace Justin Miller - (WaPost)
"One day after another bullpen collapse, the Washington Nationals called up reliever Austen Williams from Class AAA Fresno."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Las Vegan Erick Fedde combines on minor league no-hitter - (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
"The message via social said that Erick Fedde, a former Las Vegas High and UNLV star, had pitched a no-hitter Thursday night. He sort of did."

Injury Notes: Miller, LeBlanc, Borucki, Blue Jays - (MLB Trade Rumors)
"The Nationals were seemingly close to a deal with Bud Norris before that rumored contract fell through, so the team is actively looking for ways to upgrade its relief core."

Indians recall Jefry Rodriguez, Cody Anderson; Jon Edwards, Jordan Luplow optioned - (Akron Beacon Journal)
"[Jefry] Rodriguez, a right-hander acquired in the Yan Gomes trade with the Washington Nationals, made his Indians debut on Saturday, starting against the Kansas City Royals in place of Mike Clevinger..."

Where Eastern Iowa pro baseball players are to begin 2019 season - (The Gazette)
"Tyler Cropley (Iowa): Catcher was an eighth-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals last season and is in extended spring training, waiting for an assignment to a full-season affiliate, if needed, or to a Rookie-level team when their season’s begin in June."