Last-place Colorado could have easily gone through the motions after falling behind the Washington Nationals by four runs on Friday night.
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Just when it looked like the Mets were going to run away with the division, Strasburg let everyone know that Washington was still very much alive. “He looked like an elite guy, like he’s been”. Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann, after giving up 11 runs in his last three starts, allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings but did not figure in the decision.
He drove in the first run with a groundout in the opening inning after Espinosa doubled and then took third on an error when the ball got past left fielder Kyle Parker in the corner.The Nationals made it 2-0 in the fourth when Harper singled with no outs and scored when first baseman Ryan Zimmerman lined a double up the alley in right center field.
Strasburg said he wants to help the Nationals in their battle for the NL East title and a possible playoff spot and is glad to be back. “I just go with what (Nick) Hundley puts down, I guess”, said Kahnle, with a grin. “It’s definitely been an up and down year, and it’s been a huge learning experience, so I’m excited to have another opportunity”.
“Storen came out with his best and Cargo came out with his best”, Washington’s Bryce Harper said. “He’s very good out there”.
WASHINGTON – The Colorado Rockies entered Saturday night’s game as the top-hitting team in the National League.
In the fourth inning, Nolan Arenado caught Strasburg’s 95 miles per hour fastball flush, drilling it into the visitors’ bullpen beyond left field for Colorado’s only run.
Strasburg often combined a high-90’s fastball with a nasty curve and changeup to shut down the Rockies (46-62). After Espinosa got an infield hit and Harper walked, Jayson Werth hit a sacrifice fly and Ian Desmond followed with an RBI double.
In his first game since being lifted in the fourth inning of his July 4 start against the Giants, Strasburg was back to his old self. He had been 0 for 16 entering the game.
Nationals: CF Denard Span (back tightness) had what manager Matt Williams called a “setback” in his rehab. “I thought he was in command all night. He threw some really good changeups as well to the lefties – and he hit”. The Nats persisted, as Clint Robinson drew a base on balls and Desmond singled to center to plate Espinosa and make it 3-0. Since June 1, Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (18) and 3B Nolan Arenado (14) rank first in the National League in homers in games through Friday…. Bryce Harper (2 for 3, BB) singled, but Ryan Zimmerman grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Colorado starter Jorge De La Rosa gave up four runs (three earned) and before Oberg took over in the seventh.Espinosa had two hits and scored twice.
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Showing no signs of the strained left oblique that put him out of commission, Strasburg didn’t walk a batter and needed only 91 pitches (65 strikes) to dispatch the Rockies’ hitters.
