Nationals' Max Scherzer pulled from start with right hamstring cramp

— -- WASHINGTON -- Nationals ace Max Scherzer?was pulled from his start Saturday night while tuning up for the playoffs with a right hamstring cramp, according to Washington manager Dusty Baker.?

Baker added that Scherzer was removed only as a precaution.?

"We gotta make it to the playoffs healthy," Baker said after the Nationals' 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. "So we thought it was better that we make that move, the precautionary move, to get him ready."

Scherzer, who leads the National League in strikeouts and is 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA, was preparing for the Nationals' matchup against the Chicago Cubs in the best-of-five Division Series that begins Friday in Washington. But the two-time Cy Young Award winner stumbled on a 2-2 pitch to Josh Bell in the fourth inning, briefly hopped around the mound and bent over at the waist.

Scherzer then began to throw a full-count pitch, but abruptly stopped when time was called.

Baker, pitching coach Mike Maddux and team trainers visited the mound and quickly took out Scherzer.

"He didn't want to come out. We thought it was best," Baker said. "Max never wants to come out. We thought it was best for him and us for him to go out."

Scherzer had given up one hit and struck out five, raising his total to 268, in 3? scoreless innings when he was hurt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.?