Bundy outduels Cole as Nats fall to Orioles 4-3

The anticipated matchup between Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg and the Orioles' version, right-hander Dylan Bundy, didn't come to fruition Monday night.

Strasburg was placed on the disabled list for a second time this season due to right elbow soreness.

Turns out Bundy was up to the task, as he kept the Nationals at bay in an 4-3 Orioles victory.

The Nationals got to Bundy early. Trea Turner walked and stole second and then later came home on a RBI single by Daniel Murphy. In the fourth, Anthony Rendon hit a solo homer to right.

Strasburg's replacement, the 24-year-old A.J. Cole, started off well, striking out four of the first six batters he faced.

But the Orioles then figured Cole out their second time through the order.

In the third, Jonathan Schoop crushed a solo homer over the left field foul pole. In the fourth, Chris Davis slapped a run-scoring double to right and Mark Trumbo blasted a two-run shot, his 38th of the season, over the left-center field wall. The Orioles led 4-2.

The Nationals fought back with a run in the seventh. After Bundy was replaced by right-hander Mychal Givens, Danny Espinosa crushed his first home run since July 3. The solo shot cut the Orioles' lead to 4-3.

The Nationals had a shot to tie or take the lead in the eighth. With men on second and third with two outs facing right-hander Brad Brach on a 2-2 count, Ryan Zimmerman struck out.

Closer Zach Britton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 38th save.

Bundy finished six innings, allowing two runs on three hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

Considering the situation, Cole pitched well. Cole went seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. He threw 108 pitches, 67 for strikes.