Strasburg unbeaten as Nats defeat Mets
WASHINGTON — As an unbeaten pitcher for a first-place team, Stephen Strasburg is at the top of his game.
Given where he was a year ago, perhaps the Nationals star can serve as a positive example for struggling Matt Harvey of the New York Mets.
Strasburg struck out 11, and Washington hit three of its season-high five home runs off Harvey in a 7-4 victory Tuesday night.
Strasburg (8-0) gave up two runs and four hits over 6¦ innings in defeating Harvey and the Mets for the second time in six days. Strasburg has five games this season with at least 10 strikeouts and 26 over his seven-year career.
Last season, Strasburg spent two stints on the disabled list and was 3-5 before bouncing back.
“There were definitely a lot of lows for me last year,” he said. “I am definitely trying to learn from that, to try to ride the roller coaster and stay consistent.”
Harvey (3-7) can relate. After going 13-8 with a 2.71 ERA last season, the right-hander is in danger of losing his spot in the rotation after a third straight miserable outing.
“We’ve got to think what’s not just best for Matt, but what’s best for us moving forward at the moment,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “There are a lot of things to consider. We’re not going to make any rash judgments tonight. We’re going to sleep on it.”
Strasburg is the third starter in franchise history to start 8-0.
“It means he’s one of the best out there and he’s pitching like it,” manager Dusty Baker said. “A lot of people say the wins don’t matter, but they matter to the guys on the team and matter to the person getting the wins.”
Strasburg retired the first 10 batters, six by strikeout, before Asdrubal Cabrera homered into the Nationals bullpen beyond the wall in right field.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pirates 12, Diamondbacks 1 at Pittsburgh: Gregory Polanco hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-best five runs as Pittsburgh rolled by Arizona.
Polanco’s shot to the concourse in right-center field off Shelby Miller (16) in the first inning gave Pittsburgh an early boost. Francisco Liriano (4-3) scattered two hits in 5¦ innings and added an RBI single as the Pirates improved to 6-2 during a 10game homestand.
Brewers 2, Braves 1 at Atlanta: Scooter Gennett’s tiebreaking single in the eighth inning lifted Milwaukee over Atlanta, spoiling Brian Snitker’s home debut as the Braves’ interim manager. Atlanta’s Julio Teheran set a personal high with 12 strikeouts while allowing one run in seven innings.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees 6, Blue Jays 0 at New York: For the first time since the second week of the season, New York is back at .500. A resurgent Nathan Eovaldi combined with his bullpen on a two-hitter to win his fifth straight decision, and the Yankees beat Toronto to extend their winning streak to six games.
Rangers 4, Angels 1 at Arlington, Texas: Martin Perez finally got a win after another strong May start and rookie Nomar Mazara homered in his
home park for the first time, leading Texas to a victory over Los Angeles. Perez (2-4) was winless for the month despite a 2.59 ERA in four starts coming in, and dropped that number to 2.08 with six strikeouts in six shutout innings. Indians 6, White Sox 2 at Chicago: Josh Tomlin beat Chris Sale in a onesided matchup of unbeaten pitchers and Francisco Lindor had three hits, leading Cleveland to a victory over Chicago. Tomlin pitched eight innings of two-run ball to become the first Indians starter to reach 7-0 since Dennis Martinez won his first nine decisions in 1995. Sale was knocked out in the fourth, ending his bid to become the first pitcher to win his first 10 starts in a season since Andy Hawkins for San Diego in 1985.
It was the first matchup of 6-0 or better pitchers since 1988, and only the fourth time in major league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Royals 7, Twins 4 at Minneapolis: Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer, Lorenzo Cain had four hits and two RBIs, and Kansas City picked up where it left off the night before while beating tumbling Minnesota. Wade Davis worked a wobbly ninth inning for his 12th save in 13 attempts, preserving the seventh win for the Royals in their last nine contests.
INTERLEAGUE
Rays 4, Marlins 3 at Miami: Jake Odorizzi allowed two hits in five shutout innings, Hank Conger hit a two-run single and Tampa Bay held on to beat Miami. Odorizzi (2-2) struck out seven and walked three, plus delivered an RBI single for his first career hit. Logan Morrison had three hits and Brad Miller had two hits and two stolen bases for the Rays, who ended a three-game slide.
Red Sox 8, Rockies 3 at Boston: David Price scattered five hits over seven innings and Jackie Bradley Jr. had a pair of hits to extend his streak to 28 games as Boston beat Colorado. David Ortiz had a tworun double and a two-run single, and Dustin Pedroia added three hits to help Boston win its third straight game. Colorado lost for the fifth time in six games.
Tigers 3, Phillies 1 at Detroit: Justin Verlander struck out 10 in eight scoreless innings, and Francisco Rodriguez held on for his 400th save in Detroit’s victory over Philadelphia. Miguel Cabrera drove in two runs for Detroit. Since losing 11 of 12 earlier this month, the Tigers have now won eight of nine.
DEVELOPMENTS
Injury report: Pittsburgh pitcher Ryan Vogelsong remained hospitalized Tuesday with swelling and multiple facial fractures, a day after he took a 92 mph fastball to the head from Colorado pitcher Jordan Lyles. Pirates trainer Todd Tomczyk said doctors won’t be able to determine the extent of the damage around Vogelsong’s left eye until the swelling subsides. The Pirates placed Vogelsong on the 15-day disabled list and recalled reliever A.J. Schugel from Triple-A Indianapolis . ... Red Sox pitcher Carson Smith had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, effectively ending his season. Smith, who arrived in Boston this offseason via a trade with Seattle, underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction Tuesday in New York.