PHOENIX — Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg was removed from his May 5 start against Miami after three innings because of back soreness. On Tuesday, it was just plan ineffectiveness.
Strasburg gave up eight runs (seven runs) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs including a Mark Trumbo three-run homer off the facing of the second deck of the left field stands in a 14-6 loss at Chase Field. He is 2-4, and his ERA is 6.06. It has never been under 4.50 after any of his seven starts this season.
“I am embarrassed I let the team down,” Strasburg said. “I am just trying to go out there and help the team win some games and I didn’t do that tonight. I just have to turn the page and get back on it tomorrow. I left a lot of pitches up, didn’t hit the spot. They are good hitting team so I have to do better. I have to just keep my head down, work hard and keep fighting.”
Strasburg’s fastball was clocked in his usual mid-90 mph range, and he got one strikeout on a 90-mph slider/cutter, so stuff does not appear to be an issue. Yet he has given up 50 hits in 35 2-3 inning while striking out 35 and walking 11.
“I am just not making good pitches,” Strasburg said. I am trying to figure that out. It would happen if I knew what it was.”
Of his back, Strasburg said, “It was good enough. I just have to go out there and make better pitches.”
Strasburg gave up two homers, the first to Arizona center fielder Ender Inciarte in the third inning. He also was touched for a couple and a triple.
The Nationals had Strasburg work on slight technical tweaks in his last bullpen session, wanting to get his front foot to come more in line with home plate to prevent him from throwing across his body and enabling his fastball to get to the outside part of the plate against right-handed hitters.
“His ability to throw the ball down and away to righties is important,” Washinton manager Matt Williams said. “Then he goes to work with his other pitches. If he is having an issue getting in there, he is not as effective as he normally is. It’s not different than anyone else. There are all sorts of small adjustments made during a season.
“The fact that he got through it and felt good physically was good, so that is a positive sign for us. His fastball was good but he didn’t locate it. He got beat on his off-speed pitches tonight.”