Washington Nationals rout Baltimore Orioles 9-3 as Stephen Strasburg strikes out eight-MLB Update
Starter Stephen Strasburg unravels the Baltimore Orioles as the Washington Nationals register a 9-3 victory at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. on May 20, 2012 in third game of the three match series.
After being defeated twice, the Nationals were in search of a win and needed it desperately to restore their dwindling dominance in National League East Division.
Thus, the moment needed none other than their ace Strasburg to step on the mound and unleash his best.
Orioles are among the best sides in baseball and currently sit on top of their Division. The kind of hitters they have in the line-up, sending even best of the hurlers for big hits has been a norm from their part.
However Strasburg stood tall and fetched eight strike-outs while giving up just one earned run.
Only area he is lacking in so far is a fact that he has been unable to throw shut-out games. Far from shut-games, throwing even close to seven innings has yet to become a norm.
Living up to volatility the Nationals’ offence has maintained in the season, 12 hits were generated in the game, in stark contrast to what they had in last two games.
While in one game they manage handful of hits, right in the next, they experience a rain of those and give an impression that the issues with their offence have been resolved.
Strasburg felt little pain in his arms during the game. However it was not different to what happens with every pitcher after revolving arms excessively and staying in the ballpark for such a long time.
"The biceps is fine," he said. "It's just throwing a lot of pitches early, then we put up a lot of runs and stuff. I just got a little tired, got a little tight, but that's nothing different than any other outing."
Right fielder Bryce Harper had a near perfect time on the plate. While he made two hits in four at-bats, he crossed home plate three times and contributed two RBIs in the game.
Nationals will be looking to continue performing similarly in their next games, if they have to reclaim top position in the Division at the earliest.
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