Aug 19, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Things didn’t start well on Tuesday night for Stephen Strasburg, as he allowed a solo home run to David Peralta after getting the first two outs of the game.
Then all was quiet until the bottom of the third, when the Washington Nationals’ offense exploded against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Chase Anderson.
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Denard Span singled to lead off the inning and stole second when Anthony Rendon stepped up to the plate. Rendon then singled, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. Jayson Werth then singled to drive in Span.
The merry-go-round would continue after a short on-field delay. Adam LaRoche walked, followed by an Ian Desmond single that scored Rendon and Werth.
After a mound visit, Bryce Harper then singled to load the bases. Anderson was then yanked from the game in favor of Eury De La Rosa. Asdrubal Cabrera greeted the new arm with a double, scoring all three men on base.
When all was said and done, the Nats plated six runs in the frame.
Another single in the bottom of the sixth from Desmond scored Rendon and Werth to bring the Nats’ run total to eight runs. That is where it would stay.
Strasburg was magnificent, going eight strong innings allowing just three hits, a walk and that one run surrendered in the first. He struck out four along the way and lowered his ERA to 3.41.
Jerry Blevins came in for the ninth inning, striking out two in the perfect frame.
The Nationals will look to make it nine-straight wins on Wednesday against the D’Backs. Trevor Cahill will take the hill for the Snakes, while the Nats will counter with Tanner Roark.