Anderson, Diamondbacks destroyed by Nationals for fourth loss in a row: By The Numbers

Hoping to avenge an extra-innings, walk-off loss from the night before, the Arizona Diamondbacks began Tuesday’s game looking like they could steal one from the National League-leading Washington Nationals.

Diamondbacks rookie David Peralta crushed a home run to right field to get Arizona on the board in the first inning, and rookie pitcher Chase Anderson kept Washington relatively quiet through the first two innings.

The home team woke up in its third inning at the plate, however, and put Anderson in a hole he’d never get out of.

Denard Span led off the frame with a single, and he then stole a base. Anthony Rendon then hit one Didi Gregorius’ way and reached base on what was originally ruled an error (but later overturned). Jayson Werth singled to center to tie the game at 1-1 and move Rendon to second, and both players advanced when Anderson walked Adam LaRoche.

Ian Desmond came up next and singled in two runners to break the tie, and then Bryce Harper hit a bloop single to right that loaded the bases, and Anderson was promptly pulled without recording an out in the third inning.

Eury De La Rosa came in and allowed a double to Asdrubal Cabrera, which scored all three of the runners Anderson left on base. De La Rosa eventually got out of the inning, and the Nationals had a commanding five-run lead at that point.

Washington starter Stephen Strasburg had given up two hits and a homer through the first three innings, but he eventually got the best of the Diamondbacks lineup. Strasburg allowed a fourth-inning double to Aaron Hill, but the D-backs would not get another hit off him through his eight innings.

Washington added two more runs in the sixth inning for some extra cushion, and they emerged with an 8-1 win at Nationals Park, taking a 2-0 lead in the four-game series.

Here’s a look at Tuesday’s blowout by the numbers:

1

Jordan Pacheco got a rare start at first base and recorded one of the Diamondacks’ only three hits in the game. It was his second game in a row hitting safely. The 30-year-old veteran went 1-for-3 Tuesday and is now hitting .231 on the season.

4 (part I)

With Anderson getting pulled after only recording six outs, De La Rosa had his longest outing of the year. The 24-year-old left-hander went 4.0 innings and struck out four batters while surrendering five hits, two walks and two earned runs. He threw a whopping 65 pitches in relief.

4 (part II)

Arizona is now on a four-game losing streak, dating back to its series in Miami. This is the first time the Diamondbacks have lost four in a row since June 11-15, which included two losses to the Houston Astros and two to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

7

Peralta’s homer was his seventh of the year, and his second in consecutive nights. He is fifth on the team in home runs this season, and fifth among active Diamondbacks (not counting Martin Prado) with 32 RBI. The rookie went 1-for-2 from the plate with one walk Tuesday and is now batting .291.

18

Center fielder Ender Inciarte’s 18-game hitting streak has, sadly, come to an end. He flied out twice and grounded out twice Tuesday in his four at-bats, and his average dropped to .262.

20

The loss dropped Arizona 20 games below .500 (53-73). Although their winning percentage has been lower, the Diamondbacks haven’t been this many games under .500 all season. Washington, meanwhile, improved to 71-53 with the victory. The Nationals boast the best record in the NL East, as well as the entirety of the NL.

23

Hill’s double was hit 23rd of the year, which is second-highest on the team behind Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran second baseman went 1-for-4 in the contest and is now hitting .243.

31

Anderson only completed 2.0 innings, while Strasburg went 8.0, but there was just a 31-pitch differential between the starters — Anderson with 64 and Strasburg with 95. The 26-year-old Arizona rookie fell to 7-5 with the loss and his ERA jumped to a still-respectable 3.71 as he allowed six hits, three walks and six earned runs while striking out two. Strasburg improved to 10-10 and only gave up three hits, one walk and one earned run (lowering his ERA to 3.41) while striking out four.