The big showdown between Chris Archer and Stephen Strasburg lasted one inning after Archer left with right shoulder discomfort, and Strasburg was better than advertised with a 7-inning shutout. The Nats offense only got him 1-run in support, and in the 8th inning Wander Suero entered and the meltdown was on full display. Suero did not retire a batter, and he was pulled with bases loaded and no outs and two swings later with Daniel Hudson on the mound it was a 4-1 deficit that led to a 4-1 loss.
This is just another disappointing bullpen loss, and all of Strasburg’s hard work was wasted in an instant. When Archer left the game, the Nationals faced relievers with ERAs of mid-3’s but the pitcher who threw 3 2/3 innings had an ERA north of 6.00 and the Nats only got him for 1 run on one hit and four walks. The bats went quiet except for Anthony Rendon, and that gave the Pirates an opening to attack Suero who has a 4.97 ERA and could not get a batter out.
Onward to tomorrow with Patrick Corbin on the mound.
