Williams recaps Nats' 4-0 win

Last night, the Nationals pounded out 11 runs and cruised to a shutout win over the Phillies. Today, the shutout victory came a little tougher. Stephen Strasburg and Cole Hamels battled it out in the finale of this four-game set, each going seven strong innings and combining to allow just one run (which was unearned). Luckily for the Nats, that run was theirs, and they added three more in the bottom of the eighth to turn a tight ballgame into a fairly comfortable 4-0 win. With the win, the Nats earned a split in this series, and currently own a three-game lead in the National League East (their largest lead of the season) with the Braves playing out in San Diego right now. Here's Matt Williams after the win: On Strasburg's outing, in which he allowed just three hits and struck out 10: "Good, really good. Lots of curveballs today, really good curveballs early in the count to get strike one. And good fastball command, as well. Probably the best fastball command I've seen him have all year today. And the ability to throw a breaking ball at any time sure keeps hitters off-balance. So he pitched really well." On why Strasburg's numbers are so much better at home: "No. I don't think there's any reason for it. Certainly comfort level here. He knows the mound. Every time out, he knows the bullpen, he knows his routine. But there's no reason why, I just think that's the way it's happened." On Denard Span's day: "Big hit for us to give us the first one. He just continues to get on base and do things. Stole a base again, battled in an at-bat and hit a grounder between third and short to start a big inning for us. Just continues to play well." On whether he still views Strasburg as the Nats' ace: "Yeah, I mean... yeah. They're all pitching really well. From a starting perspective, everybody is giving us a chance to win every day. But yeah, Stephen was the guy we went to the first day of the season, he's the guy we went to after the break, and he's proven why he's a real good pitcher. The last two outings have been really, really good." On whether fastball command is especially important for Strasburg: "Yeah, I think that's the key with anybody, but certainly with him. It's important for him to be able to spot fastball down and away to a right-hander. He had a bunch of lefties in the lineup today, he did it as well down and away to the left-hander. He threw a lot of curveballs. Probably more curveballs than changeups today, which that's a feel for pitching. He goes out there and understands that if he can throw a curveball early for a strike, that can open up his game. And he did it today." On whether he was surprised the Nats didn't win their challenge in the top of the fifth: "Early on in a game, we're not going to go out there unless we think we're sure. We saw it one way and New York saw it another. Can't do anything about it except move on from there." On whether he had any news on Steven Souza Jr., who left Triple-A Syracuse's game after his first at-bat: "He's out of today's game early? I have to go in and make sure he's OK. Right now, we're not making a roster move. We'll see what the reason for that is."