Strasburg exits after two innings (Giants win 9-5)

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg was very hittable in the first two frames Friday night against the Giants.

The Giants put together three runs on five hits, highlighted by a solo homer from Andrew McCutchen and run-scoring hits by Alen Hanson and Hunter Pence. McCutchen's sixth homer gave San Francisco the 1-0 lead and Pence's double in the second made it 3-0.

Strasburg ended up lasting only two innings before being removed from the game. So something is definitely wrong. He allowed three runs on five hits with no walks and two strikeouts over two innings. He threw only 35 pitches, 24 for strikes.

It was Strasburg's shortest regular season outing since July 23, 2017 at Arizona, when he also lasted only two innings.

Shawn Kelley replaced Strasburg and got the Giants out with scoring a run in the third.

Left-hander Andrew Suárez was tough on the Nationals early on. Trea Turner led off with an infield single and reached second base on a throwing error by Hanson. Turner stole third base, but then Suárez recorded three outs in a row, the last two by strikeout, to end the opportunity.

Suárez did the same thing to the Nats in second inning: a flyout to left field and then two strikeouts.

Max Scherzer pinch-hit in the third, grounding out to shortstop for the second out.

After three innings, the Giants lead the Nats 3-0.

Update: The night continued in the wrong direction for the Nats in the fourth. Wander Suero allowed a two run shot to Gorkys Hernandez, his seventh homer of the season, coming on a 1-1 pitch. Hanson tripled to start the frame and scored on the Hernandez blast.

Mid-fourth, the Giants extend their lead to 5-0.

Update II: The incredible saga of Juan Soto continued in the fourth. With one on and two outs, Soto slammed an opposite field two-run shot over the fence in left field off a 2-2 offering by Suárez. Soto has three homers on the season.

After four in D.C., the Nats are on the board and trail 5-2 to the Giants.

Update III: Crawford's double down into the left field corner was just missed by a sliding Soto, allowing McCutchen to score. The Giants have seven extra-base hits with 10 hits overall through just five innings.

Mid-fifth, the Giants lead 6-2.

Update IV: The Nats fought back in the fifth. Wilmer Difo and pinch-hitter Adrian Sanchez singled. Turner walked to lad the bases. Bryce Harper singled to right field to score two runs. That chased Suárez, who lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on si hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 51 for strikes.

After five, the Giants lead 6-4.

Update V: In the sixth against former Nats closer Mark Melancon, Michael A. Taylor doubled and Difo was hit by a pitch. Pinch-hitter Matt Adams delivered a seeing eye single down the third base line to score Taylor.

After six inning, the Giants five-run lead is now 6-5.

Update VI: In the seventh, the Giants connected against Brandon Kintzler with two base hits, a hit batter and finally an RBI single from Sandoval. Matt Grace relieved and allowed a sac fly to pinch-hitter Evan Longoria and a run-scoring single from Pence.

Mid-seventh, the Giants lead 9-5.

Update VII: In the ninth facing Will Smith, pinch-hitter Brian Goodwin flew out to left field, Turner flew out to right field and Harper struck out.

Final score: the Giants 9, the Nats 5. It is only the Giants 13^thwin on the road in 33 games.