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Stephen Strasburg dominates as Washington Nationals open second half with win

By Pablo Roa

Jul 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stephen Strasburg earned his 13th win of the season after a dominant outing helped the Washington Nationals start the second half with a 5-1 win over the Pirates.

Although Stephen Strasburg decided not to pitch in the All-Star Game, the right-hander is undoubtedly an All-Star — in every sense of the word. He finished the first half with an undefeated, 12-0 record. And Friday night, he picked up right where he left off in the first game of the second half for the Washington Nationals.

Strasburg dominated, pitching eight innings of one-run ball while striking out six batters, allowing just three hits and walking two. The right-hander continued his incredible undefeated stretch, improving his record on the season to 13-0 while bringing his ERA down to 2.51.

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The lone blemish on Strasburg’s night was an RBI single by Jordy Mercer in the top of the fifth. The hit gave the Pirates a one-run lead, but the Nationals wouldn’t be down long.

An RBI single by Clint Robinson tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Two innings later, an error and a wild pitch gave the Nationals a 3-1 lead. Michael A. Taylor then gave the Nationals a 5-1 lead with a two-run homer.

It was a four-run bottom of the seventh inning for the Nationals, three of which were charged to Pittsburg starter Francisco Liriano.

Holding a 5-1 lead, Strasburg shut down the Pirates in the eighth inning and Shawn Kelley pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the win for the Nationals. With the victory, the Nationals are a season-high 19 games over .500.

Next: Washington Nationals vs. Pirates Preview (7/15-7/17)

Next Up: The Nationals continue their three-game series against the Pirates tomorrow night at Nationals Park. Tanner Roark gets the start for the Nationals, while Gerrit Cole takes the mound for the Pirates. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.

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