Stephen Strasburg's final home start did not go exactly as planned, as the ace's night ended after just three innings of work on Friday night. Davey Johnson opted to pinch hit Corey Brown in the pitcher's spot in the lineup in the bottom of the third, ending Strasburg's rocky outing just an hour into the game.
The hard-throwing righty was knocked out after giving up six hits and five runs across the three innings. He threw 67 pitches, walking three and striking out two. The game started with a walk and it was a struggle from there. Strasburg gave up at least one run in each of the three innings he pitched. Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton did much of the damage, ripping an RBI double in the first and then going the other way with it for a homer in his next at-bat in the third.
Zach Duke came on for his first appearance as a National in the top of the fourth to replace Strasburg, who had an up-and-down past month. Friday night was certainly a dip, but it's an end to a magnificent home season.
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