Watch: Cubs wrest Game 5 lead from Scherzer, Nationals

Clinging to a one-run lead in the fifth inning Thursday, the Washington Nationals turned to Max Scherzer out of the bullpen, entrusting their ace to propel them to a Game 5 victory over the Chicago Cubs that would exorcise their National League Division Series demons.

Lol.

After retiring the first two batters in his first postseason relief appearance since 2013, the reigning NL Cy Young award winner imploded, allowing successive singles to Willson Contreras and Ben Zobrist, then coughing up the lead on a two-run double from Addison Russell.

Moments later, following an intentional walk to Jason Heyward, a Matt Wieters throwing error on a passed-ball third strike allowed the Cubs to plate another run, extending their lead to 6-4. Then, after Tommy La Stella reached via catcher's interference in the following at-bat, the Cubs stretched their lead to 7-4 when Scherzer hit Jon Jay with a pitch with the bases loaded.