Strasburg's determination impressive in routine win
Stephen Strasburg is pretty tough on himself. He was visibly upset for allowing a ground-rule double to the Mets' Josh Thole in the fifth inning Wednesday.
That kind of determination to be very good every game has defined the Washington Nationals' ace. His goal is not just to get outs. He demands more.
Strasburg was brilliant in his 20th start, even if he thought he made a couple of mistakes, in dispatching the reeling New York Mets 5-2 for his 11th win of the season.
Strasburg went seven innings and allowed one run on four hits with no walks and 11 strikeouts. It was the fourth time this season Strasburg has netted double-digit strikeouts in his start and the first time he has reached seven innings in six starts, dating to June 20 against Tampa Bay.
He threw 94 pitches, 63 for strikes, and is up to 117 1/3 innings for the season -- probably about 63 below the limit the team insists it will impose on him to protect his arm. Strasburg has won his last two decisions following a three-game losing streak.
Manager Davey Johnson said, "That is the Strasburg that I have known for a long time. That is him. That is the way he should pitch. He was very pitch efficient from the get go. He went right after guys."
But Johnson also conceded that everyone has to remember that this is really Strasburg's first full season, and he is gaining knowledge on the fly.
"He is still learning how to pitch in this league," Johnson said. "He has such good stuff and he gets such great publicity, but he is still a work in progress."
Johnson said Strasburg learned not to mess around in this game and go with his potent fastball more often. Then Strasburg was able to finish off the hitters with his knee-buckling curveball.
"He located his fastball good," Johnson said. "He didn't use a lot of his breaking stuff. When he does that he is capable of going nine innings. There was a lot left in the tank, I can tell you that. When he pitches like that he is going to throw a lot of complete games."
An Ike Davis solo shot was only real mistake by Strasburg, who said he was able to stick with his game plan.
"I think it was just (to) attack the strike zone, don't nibble and just go out there and make them put the ball in play," Strasburg said. "Good pitchers can get through seven innings under 100 pitches. That was definitely a goal."
In the end, Strasburg did not let a little mistake here or there ruin another spectacular outing.
"I think when I take a step back and relax and just let it happen instead of forcing the issue it helps out a lot," he said.
