Swanson – who was the centerpiece of the highly scrutinized, mostly disastrous Shelby Miller trade between Arizona and Atlanta – hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning against the Nationals. Hours after he was activated from the disabled list, Strasburg left in the third inning of Wednesday night’s game against the Braves.
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After the game ended well past midnight, the Nationals said Strasburg would get an MRI.
On the subject of bullpen use, Nationals manager Dusty Baker used Sean Burnett for one batter. Strasburg (15-4, 3.59 ERA) has not pitched since August 17 because of right elbow soreness.
Washington right-hander Max Scherzer (16-7) allowed two runs in seven innings to stymie Atlanta, which left 11 men on base.
Washington’s trainer came out and Strasburg departed, covering his mouth with his glove as he reached the dugout.
Turner, who finished a triple shy of the cycle, added an RBI single in the fourth.
The Nationals fielded a lineup that did not include OFs Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth, 2B Daniel Murphy, C Wilson Ramos and 1B Ryan Zimmerman.
Washington maintained an 8 1/2-game lead in the NL East over the New York Mets, who won 5-0 at Cincinnati.
Washington starter Gio Gonzalez had an RBI single in the second to cut the lead to 3-1.
Swanson homered for the second straight game, this time sending one over the fence following Tuesday night’s inside-the-park home run. Ross, on the DL since July 3 with right shoulder inflammation, struck out two and walked none. He threw 42 pitches. But Scherzer stayed in the game to bunt Lobaton over to second base and returned to the mound in the seventh inning to face Atlanta’s two, three, and four hitters. Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.59) threw on the flat ground in the outfield before the game.
The start of the game was delayed 57 minutes, though it ultimately only rained lightly during the early portion of the game.
Drew missed 40 games because of symptoms from vertigo.
Braves: RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 4.31) starts the series finale for Atlanta. Scherzer gave up two runs over seven innings yesterday to pick up his team-high 16 win of the season.
To survive Gonzalez’s outing, the Nationals (81-57) needed a five-run third inning fueled by Anthony Rendon’s first career grand slam and Ryan Zimmerman’s first home run since August 20.
The numbers are such an anomaly that Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper had just gotten done listing them to fans when Rizzo cranked a 97 MPH Peralta fastball to the opposite field for a solo home run in the first inning at Miller Park.
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