WASHINGTON -- Jameson Taillon of the Pittsburgh Pirates went into Saturday night's game with the challenge of trying to outpitch reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

Taillon never got the chance as Scherzer left the game in the top of the fourth inning after he landed in a strange way on his leg on a 2-2 pitch to slugger Josh Bell.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning and had only allowed one hit, but the Pirates exploded for four runs in the top of the ninth to beat the National League East champions 4-1.

"I really don't like attention," said Taillon, who battled testicular cancer this spring. "I wanted attention for being a baseball player."

Taillon gave up only four hits and one run and would have been a hard-luck loser had his teammates not rallied.

"As good of a game he has pitched all year," said Clint Hurdle, the Pirates manager. "We were really impressed."

Scherzer was not available after the game as he went to get a precautionary MRI exam on his right hamstring, according to a Nationals spokesperson.

"I guess we'll see," Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said of Scherzer. "There is nothing else to talk about right now."

That may or may not be true as the Nationals can tie a franchise record for wins in a season if they beat the Pirates in Sunday's series finale.

And Zimmerman isn't blowing his own horn as he has six straight hits over the last two games.

Sean Rodriguez tied the game with a single with two outs in the ninth and Max Moroff had a bases-loaded triple later in the inning as the Pirates rallied.

The Pirates (74-87) had just one hit going into the ninth but erupted against Brandon Kintzler (4-3), who was going for his second save with the Nationals (97-64) and 30th overall this year.

The winner was George Kontos (1-6), who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Former Washington reliever Felipe Rivero pitched the ninth for the Pirates to get his 21st save.

A.J. Cole, who has made eight starts this year, relieved Scherzer and did not allow a hit in 3 2/3 innings.

Kintzler gave up four hits and four runs in two-thirds of an inning.

"I am still feeling good about myself. That is not my role on this team," he said of closing.

Starling Marte of the Pirates led off the ninth with an infield single after a replay challenge. Jordan Luplow singled with one out before Rodriguez tied the game. Two batters later, Moroff got the game-winning triple.

Washington first baseman Zimmerman was 2-for-2 with one RBI.

The Nationals took a 1-0 lead in the second as Zimmerman had an RBI single to score Daniel Murphy, who led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch.

Scherzer is 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA after going 3 1/3 innings and allowing just one hit Saturday. The St. Louis native was on the disabled list from Aug. 18-28 with left neck inflammation.

Scherzer threw a no-hitter at home against the Pirates on June 20, 2015.

"Max had a right hamstring cramp. We took him out for precaution. We gotta make it to the playoffs healthy. So we thought it was better that we make that move, the precautionary move, to get him ready," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said.

Taillon made his last appearance in a season in which he had surgery on May 8 for testicular cancer, and he was on the disabled list from May 4 to June 12.

NOTES: Washington INF Stephen Drew was activated from the 60-day disabled list and RHP Shawn Kelley was put on the 60-day DL with bone chips, ending his season. ... Washington LHP Gio Gonzalez (15-8, 2.75 ERA) will face Pirates RHP Steven Brault (1-0, 3.86) in the series and regular-season finale Sunday. ...Washington RF Bryce Harper started for the fourth time in five games since coming off the disabled list Tuesday. He was 0-for-4 and is 1-for-14 since coming off the DL. ... Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen has 14 homers and 35 RBIs in 52 games in his career against the Nationals, but did not play because of foot discomfort. ... Washington 3B Anthony Rendon was a "little fatigued" and got the night off, according to manager Dusty Baker. INF Wilmer Difo started at 3B and hit third in the lineup.