Final
Strasburg attempts to make it two in a row in Atlanta
May 26, 2012 - 2:30 PM (Sports Network) - Coming off a win against Baltimore on Sunday, the Nationals send Stephen Strasburg to the mound this afternoon as they continue a three- game series against the Atlanta Braves.The right-hander recorded eight strikeouts in five innings of a 9-3 victory. The result came after Strasburg's lone loss, May 15 against San Diego. He's faced the Braves twice, losing both times, having given up a total of five earned runs over 10 1/3 innings.
Atlanta southpaw Mike Minor will try to snap a personal three-game losing streak. He's winless over his last six appearances since an April 19 victory at Arizona. Minor has given up 31 earned runs over his last five outings, including four at Cincinnati on Monday. Minor is 1-2 with a 4.02 ERA in three games vs. Washington.
Last night, Ryan Zimmerman broke the game open with a three-run double in the seventh inning and Washington beat Atlanta, 7-4, in a battle between the top two teams in the National League East.
"Our pitching is good, but anytime you can continue to widen the gap that's something we need to work on," Zimmerman said. "We'll get better as it goes on. It's just one of those things, we continue to learn from our mistakes and get better at that."
Ian Desmond had a two-run single and Rick Ankiel smacked a two-run triple, both in the first inning, for the division-leading Nationals, who won for the fourth time in five contests. All of Washington's runs came with two outs.
Ross Detwiler allowed five hits and three runs while fanning five and walking four over 4 1/3 innings in the start. Chien-Ming Wang (1-0), who made his season debut after been reinstated from the disabled list on Tuesday, pitched three innings to get the win.
Tim Hudson (3-2) was shelled for eight hits and seven runs over 6 2/3 innings for the Braves, who suffered their season-high fifth straight loss.
"They had a couple of scoring opportunities and took advantage of it," Hudson said. "I was one pitch away from getting out of all the jams, but tip your hat, they took advantage of it and got some base hits and got us in a hole early."
Jason Heyward homered and Matt Diaz drove in three runs in a losing effort. Martin Prado had a pair of doubles and a triple, and scored twice.
Braves catcher David Ross suffered a right groin strain in the second inning and is day-to-day. Ross was pinch-run for by Brian McCann, who had been out the previous three contests with flu-like symptoms.
Chipper Jones didn't start for a seventh straight game due to a left calf contusion. The Braves are 19-5 with him in the starting lineup this season, but 7-16 without him. After the game, it was announced Jones would be going on the disabled list.
The Nationals have won three in a row in this series since losing three straight.
- WASHINGTON: 8
ATLANTA: 4
Final
May 26 7:16 PM - Adam LaRoche doubled to right scored Ryan Zimmerman. Runner on second with none out and Ian Desmond due up.
Nationals 8, Braves 4 Top 7, 0 OutsMay 26 6:25 PM - Bryce Harper lead-off Home Run (3) to left. Ryan Zimmerman due up.
Nationals 7, Braves 4 Top 7, 0 OutsMay 26 6:19 PM - Pinch-Hitter Rick Ankiel tripled to center scored Pinch-runner Edwin Jackson. Runner on third with two outs and Danny Espinosa due up.
Nationals 6, Braves 4 Top 6, 2 OutsMay 26 6:05 PM - Pinch-Hitter Chad Tracy doubled to left center scored Ian Desmond. Runner on second with one out and Jesus Flores due up.
Nationals 5, Braves 4 Top 6, 1 OutMay 26 6:00 PM - Dan Uggla two-out, two-run Home Run (7) to center scored Martin Prado. Eric Hinske due up.
Nationals 4, Braves 4 Bot 5, 2 OutsMay 26 5:51 PM - J.C. Boscan grounded out to first scored Jason Heyward. On the play, Juan Francisco advances to third. Runner on third with two outs and Mike Minor due up.
Nationals 4, Braves 2 Bot 2, 2 OutsMay 26 4:50 PM - Juan Francisco singled to center scored Eric Hinske. On the play, Jason Heyward advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and J.C. Boscan due up.
Nationals 4, Braves 1 Bot 2, 1 OutMay 26 4:47 PM - Danny Espinosa two-out, three-run Home Run (5) to left scored Jesus Flores and Stephen Strasburg. Bryce Harper due up.
Nationals 4, Braves 0 Top 2, 2 OutsMay 26 4:35 PM - Adam LaRoche sacrifice fly to left scored Danny Espinosa. Runner on second with two outs and Ian Desmond due up.
Nationals 1, Braves 0 Top 1, 2 OutsMay 26 4:17 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
ATLANTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 26 4:06 PM
Related News
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Raisel Iglesias Dec 26
- This Day in Braves History: Phil Niekro passes away Dec 26
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Getting more pitching in 2024 + more... Dec 26
- Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- This Day in MLB History: December 25 Dec 25
- Christmas Eve open thread Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carty Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carey Dec 24
- Braves News: Holiday pause, season reviews, more Dec 24
- 2023 Minor league season in review: Luis De Avila Dec 23
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Ozzie Albies Dec 23
- This Day in Braves History: J.D. Drew signs with Dodgers Dec 23