Final
Strasburg aims for 7th straight win as Nats open set with Rockies
Jun 25, 2012 - 2:19 PM (Sports Network) - Nationals manager Davey Johnson thinks we still haven't seen the best of Stephen Strasburg. That must be an alarming thought for the rest of the National League.Strasburg takes his shot at a seventh straight victory this evening as Washington plays the first of four straight against the Colorado Rockies.
The right-hander's current winning streak has improved his season record to 9-1 with a 2.46 earned run average through 14 starts as he hasn't lost since May 15. Strasburg logged seven innings of work for the second time over his run in a win versus the Rays on Wednesday, scattering two runs on five hits and a pair of walks while striking out 10.
Strasburg also threw 111 pitches, his second-highest total of the season.
"He's a true No. 1 and he's still learning," remarked Johnson about Strasburg. "I think the best is yet to come with him."
The 23-year-old has certainly flashed some of his best stuff on the road, where he is 5-0 with a 2.30 ERA in seven starts this year. He faces the Rockies for the first time.
While Strasburg continues to get his feet wet in the majors, Rockies starter Jeff Francis will make the 184th start of his career and third this season with the Rockies.
After pitching last season with the Royals, the 31-year-old southpaw has returned to the organization that selected him ninth overall in 2002.
Francis, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Rockies, is 0-1 with an 8.56 ERA through three starts, the bulk of that coming in his season debut on June 9 versus the Angels, who tagged him for eight runs over 3 1/3 frames.
Francis turned in a solid outing on Thursday in Philadelphia, though it began by him allowing a solo homer in the first. That ended up being the only run he gave up in his five frames of work as he logged a no-decision. Things could have been worse after an error in the second put two runners on, but Francis retired the next two batters to end the frame.
"He did a terrific job in picking us up after the defensive miscue," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said of Francis.
The veteran is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts against the Nationals.
Both the Rockies and Nats come into this series struggling. Colorado has lost six of eight to fall 17 games under .500 at 27-44, while Washington has dropped six of nine.
The Nationals were edged 2-1 by the Orioles in Sunday's rubber match of a three-game series as reliever Sean Burnett gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Baltimore's Matt Wieters in the eighth inning.
"We play a lot of close games and our bullpen expects to get the job done," Burnett said. "We've done a great job most of the year but today I let one slip away."
Ryan Zimmerman, who earlier on Sunday received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder, knocked in the only Washington run with an RBI single and Bryce Harper added a pair of hits in defeat for the Nats, who still own a 3 1/2-game lead for first place in the National League East.
The Rockies also dropped a rubber match on Sunday, falling 4-2 to the Rangers.
Marco Scutaro ripped an RBI single and Carlos Gonzalez chipped in with an RBI on a sacrifice fly for the Rockies, but starter Alex White yielded four runs on six hits with three strikeouts and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings to absorb the loss.
The Rockies have won seven of their past 10 versus the Nationals.
- WASHINGTON: 2
COLORADO: 4
Final
Jun 25 11:23 PM - Chris Nelson singled to right scoring Eric Young Jr. with one out. Runner on first and Carlos Gonzalez due up.
Nationals 2, Rockies 4 Bot 7, 1 OutJun 25 10:52 PM - Jordan Pacheco walked. Bases loaded with one out and Wilin Rosario due up.
Nationals 2, Rockies 3 Bot 6, 1 OutJun 25 10:27 PM - Carlos Gonzalez singled to right scoring Dexter Fowler with none out. On the play, Chris Nelson advances to second. Runners on first and second and Michael Cuddyer due up.
Nationals 2, Rockies 2 Bot 6, 0 OutsJun 25 10:21 PM - Ryan Zimmerman grounded out third to first to end the inning.
Nationals 2, Rockies 1 Mid 5Jun 25 9:52 PM - Dexter Fowler singled to short scoring Wilin Rosario with two out. Runner on first and Marco Scutaro due up.
Nationals 1, Rockies 1 Bot 3, 2 OutsJun 25 9:28 PM - Ryan Zimmerman doubled to right scoring Jesus Flores with two out. On the play, Danny Espinosa advances to third. Runners on second and third and Michael Morse due up.
Nationals 1, Rockies 0 Top 3, 2 OutsJun 25 9:21 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
COLORADO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 25 8:42 PM
Related News
- Tuesday Rockpile: What did the Rockies get in trading for Cal Quantrill? Dec 26
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Getting more pitching in 2024 + more... Dec 26
- Monday Rockpile: What’s under the tree for Rockies’ fans this Christmas? Dec 25
- This Week in Purple: Happy Holidays! Dec 23
- Friday Rockpile: Rockies rookies Jones and Tovar earn well-deserved bonuses Dec 22
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Keibert Ruiz, CS% and more… Dec 22
- Thursday Rockpile: Should the Rockies consider a reunion with Mike Moustakas? Dec 21
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Stephen Strasburg retirement?; 40-man spot + more... Dec 21
- Every Rockie Ever Podcast: Troy Tulowitzki Dec 20
- Wednesday Rockpile: Let’s explore the backup catcher market for 2024 Dec 20
- Tuesday Rockpile: The Colorado Rockies’ offseason is progressing as it should (even if it’s boring) Dec 19
- Washington Nationals news & notes: Joey Meneses & DH duties vs playing the field… Dec 19