Each night in the 2016 baseball season, we'll run down the top news, facts and highlights from action around Major League Baseball.
Stephen Strasburg's last three starts have been anything but Cy Young-worthy, as the right-hander endured his worst start of the season Wednesday against the Rockies.
Despite facing the struggling Giants, Braves and Rockies in his last three outings, Strasburg's ERA has jumped from 2.63 on Aug. 6 to 3.59 after Wednesday's game. He allowed a career-high nine runs in 1 2/3 innings — his shortest outing of the season — in a 12-10 loss.
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The Nationals bats rallied from Strasburg's poor start, scoring at least one run in seven of nine innings, including this massive two-run home run from Bryce Harper in the fifth.
Outfielder Gerardo Parra and catcher Tony Wolters led the way for the Rockies, combining for five hits and six RBIs.
Player of the day
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers — The first baseman connected on a pair of home runs in a 7-2 win over the Phillies to give the Dodgers a 1 1/2-game lead over the Giants in the NL West. Gonzalez finished with a season high five RBIs.
Highlight
Astros All-Stars Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve team up on defense for a stellar double play against the Cardinals.
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Three things to know
— The game between the Red Sox and Orioles was called after six innings due to inclement weather. Boston won, 8-1, for its sixth consecutive victory.
— Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Royals, but the Tigers' bullpen blew the game in the last two innings to give the Royals their ninth win over the past 11 games.
— Dansby Swanson, the 2015 No. 1 overall pick, connected on two singles in his Braves debut. The 22-year-old has the shortstop job all to himself after the Braves traded Erick Aybar to the Tigers.
What's next
Brewers (52-67) at Cubs (76-43), 2:20 p.m. ET: Looking to complete the sweep against the Brewers, the Cubs send reigning Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta (14-5, 2.55 ERA) to the mound. He’s 5-3 with a 2.31 ERA in 10 starts against the Brewers, who will counter with Zach Davies (9-5, 3.80 ERA).
Mets (60-60) at Giants (66-54), 10:15 p.m. ET: The slumping Giants have one win in Madison Bumgarner’s (11-7, 2.11 ERA) last six starts mostly due to lack of run support. A change in fortune could be hard to come by against Mets ace Jacob deGrom (7-5, 2.30 ERA) as the club look to stay in wild-card contention.