Stephen Strasburg took a swing and looked in amazement as the baseball carried over the left-field wall.
If Strasburg’s first major league homer came as a surprise, his performance on the mound yesterday did not. With Strasburg leading the way, the Nationals beat the Orioles 9-3 in Washington to avert a three-game sweep.
In addition to his 2-for-2 performance at the plate, Strasburg (4-1) struck out eight in five innings.
“Shocking, that’s for sure,” Strasburg said of his clout. “I feel like in [batting practice] I have to swing a lot harder to hit it out. I just somehow ran into one.”
Red Sox 5, Phillies 1
In Philadelphia, Josh Beckett (4-4) pitched 7 2/3 strong innings and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a three-run homer as the Red Sox beat Cliff Lee (0-2).
Mike Aviles also homered for Boston, which has won eight of 10 games.
Tigers 4, Pirates 3
In Detroit, Max Scherzer (3-3) struck out 15 — the most in the majors this season and most by a Detroit pitcher in 40 years — and the Tigers beat the Pirates.
Mickey Lolich had 15 strikeouts for the Tigers in a 1972 game and set the club record of 16 in 1969.
Braves 2, Rays 0
In St. Petersburg, Tim Hudson (3-1) scattered four hits over 7 2/3 innings, David Ross homered and the Braves zipped the Rays.
Dodgers 6, Cardinals 5
In Los Angeles, pinch-hitter Scott Van Slyke connected for his first major league homer, a go-ahead, three-run shot in the seventh inning against his father’s former team, as the Dodgers beat the Cardinals.
White Sox 6, Cubs 0
In Chicago, Jake Peavy (5-1) pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning, Adam Dunn hit his 14th homer and the White Sox blanked the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Marlins 5, Indians 3
In Cleveland, Josh Johnson (2-3) twice worked out of jams to earn his second straight win and help the Marlins top the Indians.
Brewers 16, Twins 4
In Milwaukee, Jonathan Lucroy homered twice and had a career-high seven RBIs, Zack Greinke (5-1) improved to 14-0 at Miller Park and the Brewers routed the Twins.
Rangers 6, Astros 1
In Houston, Colby Lewis (4-3) allowed four hits in eight-plus innings and drove in two runs, and the Rangers took a five-run first-inning lead and beat the Astros.
Padres 3, Angels 2 (13)
In San Diego, pitcher Clayton Richard scored the winning run from first base on an error by fill-in left fielder Howie Kendrick with two outs in the 13th inning and the Padres beat the Angels.
Athletics 6, Giants 2
Collin Cowgill drove in the go-ahead runs and scored in a home plate collision with pitcher Tim Lincecum, and the Athletics snapped an 11-game losing streak in San Francisco.
Mariners 6, Rockies 4
In Denver, Jesus Montero and Justin Smoak hit back-to-back home runs for the Mariners.
Diamondbacks 2, Royals 0
In Kansas City, Wade Miley (5-1) pitched seven sharp innings and the Diamondbacks shut out the Royals.
Stephen Strasburg, Strasburg, Red Sox, Josh Beckett, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, innings, homer, Max Scherzer, Jesus Montero
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