Final: Nationals 4, Phillies 0
WP: Stephen Strasburg (9-7, 3.98) LP: David Buchanan (2-9, 8.49)
Philadelphia, PA–The tables were turned on history Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, as Stephen Strasburg fell on the positive side of a late-season shutdown.
The Nationals righty, in an excellent performance, kept the Phillies hitless through four innings and scoreless through eight, allowing just one hit to Cody Asche, leading off the Phillies' fifth.
Bryce Harper delivered four runs for the Nationals, via a solo shot off David Buchanan in the first, an RBI single to score Yunel Escobar in the third, and a two-run shot off Adam Loewen in the eighth for his third and fourth run driven home on the game.
The Phillies had just two baserunners the entire game: Cody Asche, in the fifth, and Freddy Galvis, who walked way back in the first.
David Buchanan was solid for the Phillies (especially compared to his 9.11 ERA entering the game), going six innings on just 74 pitches, allowing five hits and only two runs. He was relieved by Luis Garcia to begin the seventh.
Strasburg, by comparison, struck out fourteen Phillies through eight innings, allowing just one hit and one walk. After allowing the single to Cody Asche, he struck out the next three batters to end the fifth and also struck out the side in the seventh. His 14th K, of Brian Bogusevic with one out in the eighth, tied his career-high.
Matt Williams took Strasburg out after eight masterful innings, replacing him with pinch hitter Matt den Dekker, who walked against Colton Murray in the ninth but was stranded at second.
Blake Treinen finished the game for the Nationals, giving Washington a series win.
The Nats have an opportunity to sweep tomorrow when Gio Gonzalez faces Adam Morgan, again at 7:05 from Philadelphia.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Strasburg | 8.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 3.98 |
| David Buchanan | 6.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 8.49 |
- Strasburg: Win; 105 pitches, 77 strikes; 7 groundouts, 2 flyouts; 26 faced batters
- Buchanan: Loss; 74 pitches, 46 strikes; 6 groundouts, 2 flyouts; 23 faced batters
Out of the 'Pen
Nationals
- Blake Treinen (9th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, o R, o ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 3.79
Phillies
- Luis Garcia (7th): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.69 ERA
- Adam Loewen (8th): 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR, 8.79 ERA
- Colton Murray (8th): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 5.06 ERA
At the Plate:
Nationals
- Yunel Escobar: 1-4, 2R, 2B, BB, .320 AVG
- Bryce Harper: 3-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB, .338 AVG
- Wilson Ramos: 1-4, .237 AVG
Phillies
- Cody Asche: 1-3, .246 AVG
- Freddy Galvis: 0-2, BB, .267 AVG
What's Next
- Wednesday, September 16: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 pm
- LHP Gio Gonzalez (10-7, 3.88 ERA) vs. LHP Adam Morgan (5-6, 4.60 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Theo DeRosa (@Derosatheo11) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
