Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg struck out nine, allowed five hits, one run and walked none in eight innings of work to best The Philadelphia Phillies 6-1. Strasburg out-pitched Phillies starter Cole Hamels who fell to 1-8 on the season. Hamels surrendered five runs, three earned over 6 1/3 innings and struck out six.
“It’s all about getting a rhythm, getting comfortable,” Strasburg said. “When I get comfortable out there and I’m feeling my mechanics pretty well, I just let it eat. . . . Just commanding my pitches. Sometimes, you’re going to get in a groove to where you can hit the glove wherever it is.”
Washington scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh when Jhonatan Solano dribbled a bases-loaded grounder in the seventh, two runs scored, the floodgates opened and Hamels was done for the day.
