Strasburg strikes out 10 as Nationals top Rays 3-2

By Joseph White

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, June 20 2012 7:51 p.m. MDT

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer takes the mound in his major league debut during the first inning of a baseball game with the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, June 20, 2012, in Washington.

Alex Brandon, Associated Press

Summary

Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 to win a fast-ballers' duel with newbie Chris Archer, Joel Peralta managed to pitch without having his glove inspected, and the Washington Nationals snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 to win a fast-ballers' duel with newbie Chris Archer, Joel Peralta managed to pitch without having his glove inspected, and the Washington Nationals snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Strasburg (9-1) won his sixth consecutive start by allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings while throwing 111 pitches, the second most in his career, while Tyler Clippard picked up his 10th save. The Nationals needed all the pitching they could get — because the lineup didn't produce a hit after the first inning.

Strasburg was just a bit better than Archer (0-1), who faced the minimum over his final five innings after surviving a rough start in his major league debut.

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