Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced that starter Max Scherzer was scratched from his Game 5 start against the Houston Astros because of spasms in his upper right trapezoid.

Righty Joe Ross will take Scherzer's place and will face Astros ace Gerrit Cole. The Nationals and Astros enter Sunday night's game tied at two games apiece.

"He's really upset about this," Martinez said, adding that the normally animated Scherzer was "very quiet."