Max Scherzer Refusing to Leave the Mound Proves that Davey Martinez Needs to Go

The Washington Nationals are, arguably, the biggest disappointment in Major League Baseball this season. A loaded starting rotation paired with talented bats, and they sit in fourth place in the NL East.

Because of that, manager Davey Martinez is on the hot seat. All eyes are on the Nationals skipper now, and that was evident on Sunday.

Ace Max Scherzer had 14 strikeouts on 117 pitches in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Scherzer was on a roll, and just as he was about to face Joey Votto, Martinez approached the mound to take him out of the game. Scherzer wasn't having it.

"Mad Max" was, well, mad.

Scherzer pulled a page out of Mike Mussina's playbook, refusing to leave the game. Martinez would cave in and retreat to the dugout. The end result of that exchange? Scherzer struck out Votto on three pitches.

In hindsight, trying to take out Scherzer at that point doesn't look good on Martinez's track record. But the fact of the matter is that the skipper has failed to keep the team in contention.

What's more concerning, is that despite Scherzer's hot hand at the time, his blatant disobedience of Martinez's decision proves that the team doesn't fully trust in their manager.

While a bevy of blame can be placed on the bullpen (which resulted in pitching coach Derek Lilliquist's firing), the further the Nationals fall out of first place, the less likely Martinez hangs around following the All-Star break.