Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg comes unraveled against Arizona Diamondbacks

May 12, 2015, 9:58 PM | Updated: 11:15 pm

Washington Nationals batters were unkind to Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Josh Collmenter on Monday.

So, to essentially return the favor, Diamondbacks hitters teed off on Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg the following night.

Arizona started out with a pair of runs in the first as Aaron Hill doubled to right center, scoring Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta.

The second inning was the only one that went well for the much-hyped Nationals pitcher at Chase Field, as he retired the side in order.

Ender Inciarte led off the third with his first home run of the year, but that would be Arizona’s only run of the frame, and the home team had a 3-1 lead at the time.

As Strasburg, the first overall pick of the 2009 amateur draft, took the hill in the fourth inning with his team trailing then by just one, the D-backs’ offense exploded, starting off with a Chris Owings triple and then back-to-back singles. Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa then bunted to try to move runners to second and third, but Strasburg failed to field the ball cleanly, and everybody was safe.

With the bases loaded, Inciarte hit a sacrifice fly to score one and moved a runner at third, and then Mark Trumbo blasted his fifth homer of the year, a three-run shot.

Strasburg’s night was over after just 3.1 innings, his second-shortest outing of the year. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed eight hits (including two homers) and walked one in that span while surrendering a season-high seven earned runs (eight total). Strasburg struck out three while throwing 72 pitches, and his ERA ascended from 4.73 to 6.06 with the poor showing.

The sixth-year pitcher has been up and down all year and is battling a shoulder injury, but his season hit a low point at Chase Field. His record fell to 2-4 as he was the first of three Nationals pitchers — including Sammy Solis and Matt Grace — to get pummeled on the evening.

Arizona had a season-high 14 runs by the end of the sixth inning, reaching home in five of the first six frames. The D-backs held on for a convincing 14-6 win, improving to 15-17 on the year and snapping Washington’s five-game winning streak.

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, right, watches his teammates during batting practice before the Nationals' baseball game with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper eyes the ball during batting practice before the Nationals' baseball game with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper watches his teammates during batting practice before the Nationals' baseball game with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper points to the crowd as he takes his position at the start of the Nationals' baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper heads to the plate as the fans stands up during the first inning of a baseball game between the Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann delivers to an Arizona Diamondbacks batter during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Cahill delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper warms up before the Nationals' baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper catches a ball hit Arizona Diamondbacks Gerardo Parra during the second inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper tries to bunt against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, left, steals second base as Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) reaches for the throw during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill falls to the ground after getting hit by a pitch from Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, Tuesday, May 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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