SCOUTING REPORT • Since Busch Stadium III opened in 2006, the Nationals have won just six of 30 games played here and they have dropped 20 of the last 23. ... Parkway Central and Mizzou product Max Scherzer will be searching for his first victory there on Sunday for the Nationals. He is 0-1 with a 3.27 earned run average in 11 innings there. ... Friday’s starters, Washington’s Stephen Strasburg and the Cardinals’ Mike Leake, were chosen first and eighth, respectively (Leake by Cincinnati) in the 2009 draft.
New second baseman Daniel Murphy, a playoff hero for the New York Mets last year, hit safely in 17 of his first 19 games with the Nationals, including 10 multi-hit games.