Stephen Strasburg Hits Homer on the Way to his 12th Win of the Season

The Washington Nationals were thought to be rebuilding this year, but they are right in the mix for a Wild Card playoff berth and are within striking distance of the lead in the National League East. While Bryce Harper is gone, Stephen Strasburg is still with the Nationals, and his pitching is one reason why Washington has had success so far.

On July 18th, the Nationals opened a three game series in Atlanta against the N.L. East leading Braves. Strasburg started the game and pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and eight hits while walking two and striking out seven in a 13-4 Washington win. While not his best performance, it was good enough to earn Strasburg his National League leading 12th win of the season, against 4 losses, with an ERA of 3.52. He’s also third in the N.L. in strikeouts with 151.

Strasburg may not have had his best stuff on the mound, but he compensated for that with his bat. Strasburg was three for three with a home run and a game high five RBIs in the victory.

The second place Nationals improved to 51-44, five and a half games behind the Braves in the N.L. East.