Strasburg fans 12, Taylor hits slam to force Game 5
CHICAGO — Stephen Strasburg gave the Nationals everything he had, and it was more than enough.
Strasburg shook off an illness and pitched seven dominant innings, Michael Taylor hit a grand slam and the Nationals beat the Cubs 5-0 on Wednesday to send their NL Division Series to a decisive Game 5.
“I focused on one pitch at a time and going as long as I could,” Strasburg said.
Sean Doolittle closed out Strasburg’s first career playoff win, and the focus shifted to the final game of the series Thursday night in Washington.
Kyle Hendricks will start for the World Series champion Cubs after throwing seven sharp innings in a 3-0 victory over Strasburg in Game 1. Nats manager Dusty Baker was noncommittal about his starter, with Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark the most likely candidates.
“You know, whoever it is, I hope they pitch like Stras did today,” Baker said.
With Strasburg feeling sick, the Nationals had planned to go with Roark even after a persistent rain washed out Game 4 on Tuesday. That led to criticism about whether Strasburg had the right stuff to pitch in big games.
But Strasburg felt better when he woke up Wednesday and told Baker he wanted the ball. That was all Baker needed to hear.
“I could see the focus and determination in his eyes when he came into the office,” Baker said. “He’s a man of few words, but the words he said gave us every indication he was ready.”
Strasburg struck out 12, allowed three hits and walked two. He has 22 strikeouts in 14 innings in the series, allowing two unearned runs.
“I like to think that any game that I pitch is the most important game,” Strasburg said. “That’s just how I tried to go into Game 4.”
Kris Bryant struck out four times, and the Cubs went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
“We just have to be offensively a little bit better,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “Listen, they got a grand slam. Otherwise, it’s kind of like the same game for both sides.”