Miami, FL – Stephen Strasburg had a 27-inning scoreless streak against the Miami Marlins coming into Tuesday, but Miami quickly made the streak a distant memory.
The Marlins pummeled Strasburg for a career-worst seven runs and Ricky Nolasco threw a shutout in a 9-0 victory over the Washington Nationals in the opener of a two-game series.
Nolasco (10-12), who was 1-6 with a 6,70 earned run average since the All-Star break, needed 115 pitches to toss his third career shutout. He gave up five hits while striking out six without a walk.
"Any time you're rolling like that it's nice to finish it off," Nolasco said of his complete game.
In the opposite dugout, Strasburg (15-6), who was 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in August, was charged for seven runs -- five earned -- in five innings. He surrendered nine hits, matching a career high, and a walk.
"I struggled for pretty much the whole game. It's a learning experience for me," Strasburg said.
Justin Ruggiano picked up a career-high four hits, including a solo home run in the first inning to start the scoring onslaught.
Giancarlo Stanton, the reigning National League Player of the Week, picked up three hits and knocked in three runs for the Marlins, who won their second straight game on the heels of a four-game losing streak.
After Ruggiano slammed a first-pitch fastball over the fence in left-center field to give Miami a quick lead, the Marlins tacked on another run in the first. Carlos Lee lined a double to right and scored on Stanton's base hit, just avoiding Kurt Suzuki's tag.
The Marlins plated three in the third after Bryan Petersen and Ruggiano singled and walked, respectively, to start the inning. After Jose Reyes grounded into a fielder's choice, Danny Espinosa misplayed Lee's grounder, allowing Petersen to score and Reyes to reach third. Greg Dobbs dropped a single into center field to score Reyes and Lee, who stole second base, to open up a five-run lead.
Ruggiano singled home Rob Brantly in the fourth and Donovan Solano knocked in Stanton in the fifth to help chase Strasburg from the game.
Meanwhile, Nolasco avoided trouble. The right-hander did not give up a hit until there were two outs in the fifth inning and the Nationals only had seven at-bats with a runner in scoring position on the night.
Stanton delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning against Craig Stammen to cap the scoring.
Game Notes
Strasburg allowed two runs in the first inning for the first time since May 15 against the San Diego Padres ... The Marlins are 7-7 against Washington this season ... Solano went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games ... Nolasco threw his eighth career complete game and second of the season ... Nolasco's last complete game was an eight-inning performance on Aug. 16 at Colorado and his last shutout was on June 29, 2011 at Oakland ... Miami went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
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