Strasburg overpowering against Braves, 13-4
ATLANTA — Stephen Strasburg had a three-run homer among his three hits and set a franchise record for a pitcher with five RBIs, as the surging Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 13-4 on Thursday night.
Washington had four extra-base hits, including Strasburg’s homer, in an eight-run third inning. Victor Robles had a two-run double, Adam Eaton tripled in a run and Anthony Rendon had a run-scoring double in the big inning.
The Nationals, who have won 14 of their last 18 games, cut Atlanta’s lead to 5 1/2 games in the NL East by winning the opener of a four-game series.
Strasburg (12-4) improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this season by winning his fifth straight start. He lasted only 5 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs. His effort on the mound was overshadowed by his career highs in hits and RBIs.
Strasburg is the first Nationals pitcher to drive in five runs in a game. He is also the first Nationals pitcher to have two hits in one inning.
Strasburg led off the third with a single to center. After the Nationals knocked rookie righthander Kyle Wright (0-3) out of the game in the long inning, Strasburg hit Touki Toussaint’s second pitch 420 feet over the Washington bullpen behind the left-field wall for a threerun homer and an 8-1 lead. Strasburg celebrated by dancing with his teammates in the dugout.
Strasburg’s big night at the plate continued when he hit a two-run single off Toussaint in the fifth, driving in Brian Dozier, who walked, and Robles, who hit his second double of the game.
All the time spent running the bases may have drained Strasburg. He was pulled in the sixth after giving up a run-scoring triple to Ozzie Albies and Brian McCann’s RBI single.
Nick Markakis hit a line-drive homer off right-hander Kyle McGowin in the eighth. The opposite-field shot barely cleared the leftfield wall.