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Strasburg dominates Rockies

Jul 2, 2014 - 5:07 AM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Stephen Strasburg pitched into the eighth inning to stretch his home unbeaten streak, as the Washington Nationals dominated the Colorado Rockies, 7-1, Tuesday night.

Strasburg (7-6) gave up five hits, including a homer to DJ LeMahieu in the eighth, and had eight strikeouts over his 7 2/3 innings. He is 6-0 over his last nine home starts with his only defeat at Nationals Park coming April 5 against Atlanta.

"He didn't fall behind guys," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "For him that's important. He was focused and throwing it where it wanted to throw it. He was in command of his pitches all night."

It was strong bounce-back game for Strasburg, who endured his worst outing of the season in a start last Wednesday at Milwaukee when he surrendered eight hits and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-2 loss.

Jayson Werth had a pair of doubles and drove in three for the Nationals, who have won four in a row and eight of their last 11 games. Anthony Rendon added a two-run double.

Christian Friedrich (0-3) surrendered five hits and five runs over 3 1/3 innings for the Rockies, who have lost 13 of their last 15 contests. That includes a 7-3 defeat Monday in the opener of this three-game set.

"Tough to play from behind against Strasburg," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

Friedrich walked Denard Span and Rendon to start the game, and Werth followed with a two-run double on a ball that hopped over the glove of third baseman Ryan Wheeler.

Adam LaRoche legged out an infield hit and Werth scored on a sacrifice fly to right in foul territory.

The Nationals added four in the fourth inning. Rendon doubled to left off reliever Chad Bettis to drive in Strasburg and Span. Strasburg doubled with one out and Werth followed with a double off the base of the scoreboard in right-center for a 6-0 cushion. Werth later scored on a wild pitch.

LeMahieu homered to left-center with one out in the eighth.

Game Notes

The Nationals left 11 men on base ... Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, who returned from the disabled list Monday, went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's game ... The last time Strasburg lost at home to an NL West team was against Colorado on July 6, 2012.