The Nationals’ offensive explosion shouldn’t overshadow Stephen Strasburg’s epic start

The Washington Nationals turned Game 2 of the World Series into a blowout in the seventh inning, but starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg had to escape a jam in the bottom of the sixth to keep Washington in a tie game.

Strasburg was excellent on the mound after allowing an early two-run homer in the first, and with two men on base with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, he struck out pinch hitter Kyle Tucker to get out of the inning.

STRASBURG GETS OUT OF IT!

Big time strike out to keep this game tied! pic.twitter.com/zUOptIfsFW

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 24, 2019

Moments later, Kurt Suzuki hit a solo home run to give Washington the lead, and the Nats added five more runs in the inning to blow open the game.

The Nationals have not lost a game Strasburg started since September 16th, and he was at his best in the biggest start of his life on Wednesday. Strasburg received a group hug for his efforts in the dugout as the Nats pulled away.

Hugs all around for Stephen Strasburg. #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/3vmUgXnvdi

— Chip Brierre (@Chip_Brierre) October 24, 2019

Stephen Strasburg got out of a jam with a great pitch on his 114th offering. Worked around an error earlier. Has been getting squeezed and seems unfazed. The old Stras would have been flustered by a lot of tonight's variables. Strong WS start.

6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) October 24, 2019

That guy Strasburg was once considered a fragile flower? He just threw a 3-2 curveball in Game 2 of the World Series — two outs, two on, tie game, 115th pitch — for strike three. Yikes.

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) October 24, 2019

With that punch out of Kyle Tucker in the sixth, Stephen Strasburg’s strikeout/walk ratio this postseason is now 40/1.

— Pedro Gomez (@pedrogomezESPN) October 24, 2019