Stephen Strasburg rocked in 14-6 blowout loss

Even in a 14-6 blowout loss, the Nationals figured out a way to make history. Down 10 runs in the eighth inning and not wanting to waste his bullpen further, Nationals manager Matt Williams turned to outfielder Clint Robinson to pitch. The 30-year old Robinson hurled a scoreless frame that even included a strikeout in his major league debut on the mound. It was the first time in Nationals history (2005-present) that the team used a position player to pitch. The circumstances were nothing to be proud of though.

Right-hander Stephen Strasburg's seventh start of the season mirrored most of his previous six. The 26-year old never looked comfortable as he labored through 3 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits including two homers. Strasburg falls to 2-4 on the season as his ERA balloons to 6.06.

Williams indicated that Strasburg came out of the start healthy. It's the second straight outing where he hasn't made it through the fourth inning after leaving early in last Wednesday's game with back soreness.

The Nats bullpen didn't fair much better as left-handers Sammy Solis and Matt Grace combined to give up six runs on seven hits in only 2 2/3 innings. Right-hander Aaron Barrett did pitch a clean seventh before Robinson's eighth.

Right fielder Bryce Harper provided one of the offensive bright spots with a two-run home run in the sixth. Harper's National League-leading 12th homer was part of his 2-for-3 night that also included a double and another walk. The 22-year old is now batting .308.

Catcher Wilson Ramos waited until his last at-bat, but singled up the middle to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 15 games.

The Nats will go for their fifth series win in a row later this afternoon. Lefty Gio Gonzalez faces Diamondbacks right-hander Jeremy Hellickson.