Diamondbacks 1 - 8 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Strasburg pitches Nats past D-backs

Aug 20, 2014 - 5:20 AM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Stephen Strasburg tossed eight strong innings and the Nationals backed him with six runs of support in the third, as Washington beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 8-1, in the second match of a four- game set.

Strasburg (10-10) gave up a homer in the first, but followed with seven scoreless frames. The righty allowed just three hits and one walk, while striking out four for his third victory in four starts.

"I think we've built some great chemistry over the season," said Strasburg. "We're figuring out what the skipper put on the board in spring training, if you stay in the lane and do your job I think we can beat a lot of teams."

Asdrubal Cabrera drove in three runs with a double during the explosive frame for Washington, and Ian Desmond finished 3-for-4 with four RBI, a run scored and a stolen base as the Nationals picked up their eighth win in a row.

Washington has won eight straight for the first time since Aug. 4-11, 2012.

Chase Anderson (7-5) was charged with six runs on six hits and three walks and failed to record an out during the disastrous third inning. He lost for the first time since July 2.

"He's pitched good for us, to be fair, but tonight wasn't his night," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "They put a lot of pressure on him and he wasn't able to make the pitch."

David Peralta's home run in the opening frame was the only run for the D- backs, who have lost four in a row and seven of nine overall.

Ender Inciarte went 0-for-4, ending his career-best and team rookie record 18- game hitting streak, which was the longest active streak in the majors.

Denard Span singled to lead off the third for the Nats and then stole second. Anthony Rendon grounded one up the middle that shortstop Didi Gregorius tried to field, but bobbled and Rendon reached on the infield single. With runners on the corners, Jayson Werth hit a line drive to center, scoring Span. Adam LaRoche walked to load the bases before Desmond hit a base knock into left that plated Rendon and Werth. Anderson's day on the mound ended after Bryce Harper lofted one into shallow right field to pack the bases again.

With Eury De La Rosa on the hill, Cabrera sent a line drive into the gap in right-center, scoring LaRoche, Desmond and Harper. De La Rosa got the next three batters swinging to end the inning.

The Nationals added two more in the sixth. Rendon and Werth hit back-to-back singles, then moved to second and third on De Le Rosa's balk. Desmond sent them home to make it 8-1.

Jerry Blevins struck out two during a perfect ninth inning for Washington.

Game Notes

Desmond stole second in the second inning for the 100th stolen base of his career 22nd of the year ... Span picked up his 26th stolen base of the season by stealing second in the third ... The Nationals out-hit the D-backs 12-3 and were 7-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Arizona was 0-for-3 with RISP ... De La Rosa was charged with two runs on five hits over four innings.






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