MLB Game Recaps: Stephen Strasburg Strikes Out 13
The Nationals claim they will be shutting Stephen Strasburg down after he reaches his innings limit. They want to
protect his arm. It will be interesting to see how their tune may change if the Nats are still winning games and threatening to take the National League East crown. In the mean time, though, we can sit back and enjoy Strasburg while we have him.
Yesterday afternoon, amid the discussions about whether the Nationals were doing the right thing with his innings limitations, Strasburg did his thing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched six innings and struck out 13. He was touched for two runs, both in the fourth, before finishing the afternoon with just five hits allowed and three walks. He improved his record to 3-0 and helped the Nationals end the mini-slide they were on.
The Nationals had lost three in a row coming into yesterday’s game. Their offense failing them in all three. Washington averaged just three runs a game during the short losing streak. It’s been the common theme this year for the Nats. They rank 27th in the league in runs scored, but they rank 1st in ERA and almost every other category that matters. They lost their star center fielder, Jason Werth, to a broken wrist, and young Bryce Harper, as good as he is, hasn’t done much to improve the overall offense.
Two home runs in the sixth inning gave Washington all the offense they would need with Strasburg on the mound. Roger Bernadina homered to lead off the inning, then after a Ryan Zimmerman walk, Adam LaRoche hit a two-run bomb. The Nats tacked on an insurance run with yet another home run, this one by Rick Ankiel.
The 4-2 win improves Washington to 19-12 while dropping Pittsburgh to 14-17.
American League
Toronto – 6
Minnesota – 2
The Twin, with the worst record in all of baseball, dropped another to the Blue Jays yesterday. Toronto scored early and often while allowing Minnesota just one run in the third and one run in the sixth. Josh Willingham had the only RBI of the game for the Twins with his home run (the other run scored without a credited RBI).
Texas – 5
Baltimore – 6
In game one of the double-header, the Orioles came out on top thanks to five home runs. Colby Lewis of the Rangers became the first pitcher since 1918 to allow five home runs in a game and fan at least ten. He finished the game with 12 strikeouts.
Texas – 7
Baltimore – 3
In the second game, the Rangers came out on top and managed to split the double-header. Josh Hamilton hit his 15th home run of the season, which leads the league. Derek Holland held down the Orioles offense with six innings while allowing just four hits.
Tampa Bay – 3
New York (A) – 5
Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano both homered as C.C. Sabathia pitched eight strong innings. He struck out 10 and allowed just two runs. His counterpart, David Price, went seven but allowed all five runs.
Cleveland – 8
Boston – 3
Josh Beckett was booed off the field after going just 2 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and seven runs before exiting to a shower of hatred from the Red Sox faithful. Jack Hannahan was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run to help power the Indians’ offense.
Detroit – 10
Oakland – 6
In Oakland, the Tigers pounded the A’s. The score is actually better than the game truly was. Oakland was losing 10-2 until the A’s scored 4 in the eighth. Mac Scherzer allowed just two runs over 6 2/3 innings of five hit ball. he struck out nine.
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