The Nationals decided to play it safe with young ace Stephen Strasburg.
Despite having a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings on Sunday, Strasburg came out with the Nats leading the Reds 11-0. Why? Strasburg was making his first start since being activated from the disabled list with an upper back strain.
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Strasburg made 109 pitches before manager Dusty Baker took the ball. It was a smart move to save Baker's best pitcher.
The Reds broke up the no-hitter, and the shutout, with three hits and a run in the eighth against reliever Matt Belisle.
Strasburg became the third pitcher this season to get pulled early with a no-hitter still in place. The Dodgers' Ross Stripling (7 1/3 innings pitched) and the Marlins' Adam Conley (7 2/3 innings) were the others.
Strasburg lowered his earned-run average to 2.71 and is 11-0 with the victory.