Braves Vs. Nationals Final: Stephen Strasburg Takes First 2011 Loss In Nationals 7-4 Defeat

The Washington Nationals were defeated by the Atlanta Braves 7-4 on Friday night. The Nationals tried to rally back after a rough start from Stephen Strasburg, but the the offense's gas just ran out. Friday's loss ended the Nationals current win streak at five games.

Strasburg didn't have early control of his pitches, often going to the rosin bag, and the Braves were able to tag him for three runs, two earned in the first inning. However, Strasburg settled after that and put zeros across the board for the next three innings. The young pitcher went four innings total, walked none and struck out three. He has not offered up a walk to the 114 Major League batters he has faced going back to August 2010. He threw 75 pitches on Friday, 46 going for strikes.

It is the first loss of 2011 for Strasburg who is now 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA.

Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth and catcher Wilson Ramos both went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs which was the Nationals scoring for the night.

Braves Vs. Nationals Score: Nationals Letting Game Get Away, Down 6-1

The Washington Nationals are letting their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night get away from them. The Braves hold a commanding lead on the Nats 6-1 in the sixth.

Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was on the mound and there was anticipation, especially since the Nationals finished off a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. However, Strasburg did not have an exceptional performance. With his command off he fell into trouble in the first inning giving up three runs, two earned. However that is all the Braves would get off him as he pitched four innings giving up five hits, no walks and striking out three. Strasburg has not issued a walk to any of the 114 Major League batters he has faced dating back to August 2010. Strasburg threw 75 pitches, 46 for strikes.

The Nationals got on the board in the second thanks to a Wilson Ramos RBI single to make it 3-1, but the Braves got that one back and more in the fifth off Nationals relievers Collin Balester and Atahualpa Severino to make the score 6-1.

Braves Vs. Nationals: Stephen Strasburg Looks To Spoil Atlanta's Wild Card Lead

Stephen Strasburg takes the hill for perhaps the final time this season as the Nationals look to spoil Atlanta's playoff hopes.