Washington Nationals: Takeaways From 12-1 Win Vs. Reds

Strasburg Flirts With History 

Coming into Sunday afternoon it was unclear if Stephen Strasburg was even going to start the game against the Reds. Strasburg was going to try to test himself during his pregame warmups, and see if he was good to make the start. The Nationals right-hander determined he was good to go, and it payed off big for the Nats.

Strasburg took a no-hitter and shutout into the seventh inning, and was removed by Dusty Baker after 6.2 innings pitched. Although Stras was not as dominant as we have seen him be, he carried a no-hitter past the fifth inning for the first time in his career. It would have been great to see Stras get a chance to finish what he started, but Baker felt that it was the right call to go to his bullpen.

The game did not start off great for Straburg as he had long first and second innings that cost him in the long run. He threw nearly 40 pitches in the first two innings, preventing him from being able to go deep. Stras also got some help from his defense, with outstanding plays from Anthony Rendon and Espinosa.

Over his years in the big leagues Strasburg has had some odd starts, but this may have been the weirdest of them all. He did not have his great fastball command that we are used to seeing, but he was keeping hitters off balance and getting bad contact. His three walks are not something we are accustom too seeing, but he still did not allow a single run.

Strasburg did not get a chance to finish the no-hitter, but with the way he is pitching the season, there may be more chances to do this down the road.

Next: Danny Espinosa Does It Again