*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg added another element to his game. Yes, he is a dominant pitcher, but he showed he can hit as well. Strasburg had 3 hits, including a 3 run homer, and the Nats cruised to a 13-4 victory over the team they are trying to catch in the NL east in the Atlanta Braves. The Nats have surged since the beginning of June, and are now 5.5 games behind Atlanta, sitting in second place in the east, and possess the NL top wild card seed.
The Braves jumped ahead in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Freddie Freeman. In the 3rd, with Strasburg on base, Adam Eaton tripled to left field to score him. Anthony Rendon then doubled Eaton home, and Brian Dozier drew a walk with the bases loaded. Next, Victor Robles whacked a 2 run double, and then Strasburg belted a 3 run shot to left field. In the 5th, Strasburg added to it with a 2 run single. In the 6th, Atlanta got two runs back thanks to an RBI triple by Ozzie Albies and an RBI single by Brian McCann. The rest of Washington's runs came in the 8th, on an RBI double by Ryan Zimmerman, a sac fly by Kurt Suzuki, and an RBI single by Dozier. Atlanta got their final run in the 8th on a Nick Markakis solo homer.
Strasburg's batting made up for a so-so night on the mound, as he went 5 1/3 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. Manager Dave Martinez joked and said that Strasburg "might be a pinch-hitter coming up here for the rest of these games.'' Strasburg did win a silver slugger award in 2012. The Nats have now won 14 of their last 18 games, while Atlanta has lost 3 straight. Kyle Wright took the loss for the Braves, lasting 2 2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. Wright said that ''I just kind of beat myself a little bit, I think it was lack of feel with the fastball.'' Infielder Charlie Culberson got to pitch the 9th inning for Atlanta, and pitched a scoreless inning. He also had a scoreless inning on May 2 against San Diego.
Julio Teheran will start game two of the series for the Braves, while Patrick Corbin will draw the start for Washington. First pitch is at 7:10 EST in Atlanta.
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