Strasburg shuts down Tribe bats

Associated Press

cleveland

Stephen Strasburg’s losing streak was short lived.

Washington’s ace easily shut down Cleveland for seven innings and bounced back from his only loss this season, leading the Nationals to a 4-1 win over the Indians on Wednesday.

Strasburg (14-1) began the season with 13 straight wins before he was beaten by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21. The powerful right-hander made the most of his next outing by shaking off the one blemish on his resume this season and holding the Indians to three hits as the Nationals recovered after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth and losing on Tuesday night.

“This is what you want your big boys to do,” Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of Strasburg, now 20-3 since Aug. 8.

Washington rookie Trea Turner drove in three runs and Daniel Murphy hit his 20th homer off Carlos Carrasco (7-4), who nearly matched Strasburg but was done in by one bad inning.

Nationals reliever Blake Treinen stopped Cleveland’s threat in the ninth, getting a game-ending double play for his first major league save.

Strasburg had little trouble handling the AL Central-leading Indians, who came in with the majors’ best record since June 1 but couldn’t generate enough offense against the Nationals’ $175 million man. He was in control from the outset and made Washington’s 2-0 lead over the first five innings feel like the score was 10-0.

Strasburg walked one and struck out seven.

“He has a lot of weapons,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “He can throw the ball by you, a fastball on both sides of the plate. He has a slider, change. He’s got everything and his fastball has a ton of ride or finish, however you want to put it. His delivery. It’s impressive.”