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Nats Blank Marlins
Strasburg shuts down Miami
Monday, Jul 16, 2012 | Updated 7:09 AM EDT
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Ricky Nolasco hits a single in the third inning as Jhonatan Solano of the Washington Nationals looks on at Marlins Park on July 15, 2012 in Miami.
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Stephen Strasburg found a way to escape trouble against the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Strasburg (10-4) pitched six scoreless innings and drove in a run for the Washington Nationals in a 4-0 win over the Marlins on Sunday.
"It's one of those days where you get through (the jams)," Strasburg said. "You just have do your best and keep the team in the ballgame."
He allowed six hits and struck out seven.
"He's good, he's got four or five pitches," Marlins catcher John Buck said. "He has a way to be nice and smooth that makes him deceptive."
The Marlins were 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position as they were shut out for the ninth time this season.
"That's the reason why we lost," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We had golden opportunities and one of the best pitchers in the game against the ropes and we didn't take advantage."
Strasburg was able to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the third as he struck out Logan Morrison and got Hanley Ramirez to ground out. He also got out of a two-on, one-out jam in the second and the Marlins had a runner on second with one out in the fourth.
"That's the kind of Strasburg I've grown to love," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said.
Steve Lombardozzi, Michael Morse, and Danny Espinosa also drove in a run for the Nationals.
Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard loaded the bases in the ninth with no outs, but retired the next three batters. Omar Infante flew out to Bryce Harper in foul territory to end the game as Harper collided with second baseman Lombardozzi.
"All I was thinking about was a wide receiver coming through the middle," Harper said. "You're going to get hammered but you have to catch the ball. He got me in my face and on my head, but I caught the ball. Game over."
Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco (8-7) did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when Morse led off with a single to left. Strasburg and Lombardozzi followed with two-out RBI singles.
"I think Ricky fell apart when I walked (Jhonatan Solano intentionally) and the pitcher go a base hit," Guillen said.
It was the fifth RBI in 52 career at-bats for Strasburg, who also walked.
Nolasco ran into trouble again in the sixth allowing three consecutive hits to begin the inning, including an RBI single by Morse. After Espinosa's sacrifice fly gave the Nationals a 4-0 lead, Nolasco was pulled.
"The balls just found some holes, a couple ground balls here and there," Nolasco said. "Obviously the one to Strasburg just gets by. The big one I think was to Morse."
Nolasco went 5 1-3 innings, allowing four runs and six hits.
Copyright Associated Press
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