Not the same Stephen Strasburg so far

Stephen Strasburg is at a point in his six-year career that he has never experienced before. The tall righty didn't make it through the fourth inning for the third time in his last four starts as the Phillies pounded him early and often in today's 8-1 victory over the Nationals. The loss snaps the Nats' six-game winning streak, but they can still capture their eighth straight series with a win in the finale tomorrow.

More importantly though, are the issues with Strasburg, who's ERA balloons to 6.50 after surrendering six runs, five earned, on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts in only 3 2/3 innings.

"I just didn't execute. I just didn't make the pitches that I was trying to do," Strasburg said. "Just gotta learn from it."

The most agonizing part for Strasburg was that most of the Phillies' damage came with two strikes in the count. In fact, the two-run homer that Maikel Franco hit in the third inning came on an 0-2 96 mph fastball that Strasburg left out over the plate.

"When he was ahead in the count, he wasn't able to do it," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "These guys (are) good hitters. Anyone who has a bat in their hands is dangerous, and if you don't make your pitches it can happen. It happened to Stephen today."

Strasburg falls to 3-5. He has now allowed five or more runs in three of his nine outings and his 6.50 ERA ranks him second to last among qualifying starting pitchers in the majors.

"It's frustrating," Strasburg said. "I'm not pitching to my ability and I just keep grinding."

"It's definitely something that I've never experienced before. I think it's a test. It's a test for me and I'm gonna look at it that way and I'm not gonna quit. I'm gonna keep going."

Ian Desmond drove in the Nats only run of the day on one of the five hits they managed against Phillies ace Cole Hamels. Desmond, who has battled his own fielding issues this season, noticed a difference in Strasburg's demeanor on the mound.

"I mean, in a sense I can kind of relate," Desmond said. "It's going to be really good to see him bounce out of it. It looks like he lacks a little bit of confidence out there. Maybe he's fighting something mentally. But, I have no doubt that he'll shake it off and come back just as good as ever."

Desmond knows what Strasburg is capable of. The seven-year veteran has basically been a part of every one of Strasburg's starts in D.C. Strasburg has never finished a season with an ERA above 3.16, and just last year, he tied for the National League lead with 242 strikeouts.

"He's a great pitcher. Really, I mean there's not many better in the league than him," Desmond said. "Sometimes as players, that's hard for us to believe, in ourselves. We're so hard on ourselves all the time, especially when you're not getting results."

Just eight months ago, Williams chose Strasburg to start Game 1 of the NLDS. He knows how powerful and intimidating Strasburg can be on the mound. Williams has continued to emphasize that he wants Strasburg to be aggressive and pitch to his strengths. Strasburg's body language certainly changes when he's faced with adversity. He doesn't seem to have the edge this season that has made him one of the game's most imposing pitchers throughout his career.

Williams maintains that he hasn't allowed any doubts about Strasburg to creep in.

"We're not concerned," Strasburg said. "He's one of our guys. He been one of our guys . He will continue to be one of our guys. He's going through a rough stretch. It doesn't mean he can't come out of it his next start and be absolutely dominant.

"He has that capability every time he walks out on the mound. He will work hard until the next one and be ready to go. I'm not concerned about it. Everybody has issues sometimes and has a mini-slump. The next opportunity for him is five days from now, and you never know what might happen there. It may be really good."