Strasburg and Bauer trade blows early (Nats win 17-7)

In the bottom of the third, Victor Robles singled and stole second base against Reds starter Trevor Bauer. Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg sacrificed Robles to third base. Trea Turner smacked a sacrifice fly to deep left field that scored Robles with the first run of the game.

Strasburg allowed only one hit in the first three innings.

After three innings, the Nats lead the Reds 1-0.

Update: In the top of the fourth, Eugenio Suárez and Josh VanMeter singled to start a Reds rally. Aristides Aquino grounded into a fielder's choice to Turner at shortstop and there were runners on the corners. Freddy Galvis lined out to Juan Soto for the second out.

But Strasburg's strikeout pitch to José Iglesias got away from catcher Kurt Suzuki. The wild pitch allowed Suárez to score the tying run.

Mid-fourth, the Nats and Reds are tied 1-1.

Update II: The Nats blew the game wide open in the fifth, sending Bauer to the showers with 10 runs on nine hits. Strasburg put the Nats ahead for good with an RBI single to make it 2-1. Adam Eaton and Suzuki each crushed three-run homers. Rendon hit a solo shot for his 26th of the season. Turner and Asdrúbal Cabrera also had RBI hits.

Every player in the Nats lineup scored at least one run in the 10-run fifth inning. Per Elias Sports Bureau, that was the first time that has happened in Nationals history. Ironically, the Reds pulled off the same feat July 29, 2019 versus the Pirates in the second inning.

After five innings, the Nats lead the Reds 11-1.

Update III: The Reds countered with three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a Tucker Barnhart two-run shot. Strasburg finished 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with three walks (one intentional), three wild pitches and four strikeouts. He threw 110 pitches, 75 for strikes. It was the most pitches he had thrown since 111 pitches on July 12.

Mid-sixth, the Nats lead the Reds 11-4.

Update IV: The Nats embarrassed the Reds piching staff with six more runs in the sixth. Rendon, Soto, Suzuki and Robles all contributed RBI singles while Cabrera launched a two-run ground-rule double.

The 17 runs are a season-high total for the Nats.

After six innings, the Nats lead the Reds 17-4.

Update V: Aquino hit his ninth homer, a solo shot, in the seventh inning. Per Elias Sports Bureau, Aquino is the first player in major league history since 1900 with nine homers in his first 14 career games. The previous record was eight by Trevor Story of the Rockies.

In the ninth, Freddy Galvis hit a two-run shot off Javy Guerra, who worked the final three innings for his second save of the season, first with the Nats.

Final score: Nats 17, Reds 7.