Zimmerman hits slam, Nats hand SD 9th loss in row

[July 08, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ryan Zimmerman hit a grand slam, Bryce Harper added three hits and two stolen bases, and the Washington Nationals sent the San Diego Padres to their ninth straight loss, 11-7 on Sunday.

Stephen Strasburg (5-6) allowed four runs over six innings. He matched his season-high with nine strikeouts as the Nationals won their fourth straight, the last three over San Diego.

Zimmerman's slam off Robbie Erlin (1-2) put Washington ahead 5-1 in the third inning. Two batters later, Anthony Rendon hit a two-run homer.

Rendon and Strasburg had RBI singles during the Nationals' four-run fifth inning. Harper, chosen a day earlier for the NL All-Star team, hit an RBI single in the first.

The Nationals are four games over .500 for the first time since April 12. San Diego lost the final nine times on its 10-game road trip.

Zimmerman homered on the first pitch from Erlin after Harper reached on an infield single off the glove of first baseman Jesus Guzman to load the bases.

Strasburg, who started the six-run third inning with a walk, lost his way in spots. He hit three batters, walked two and in the fourth yielded a two-run homer to Alexi Amarista.

The right-hander allowed seven hits, his most since April 7, and never pitched a 1-2-3 inning. But the San Diego native overpowered the Padres when needed. With Washington leading 7-3 in the fifth and two runners on with two outs, Strasburg struck out Kyle Blanks.

In Strasburg's previous four starts, Washington scored four runs total.

Amarista had three hits and drove in three runs, including an RBI groundout in the seventh against reliever Craig Stammen, who allowed three runs in one inning plus three batters.

Replacing Stammen in the eighth with two runners on and Washington leading 11-7, Drew Storen recorded three straight outs.

Making his fourth big league start, Erlin went four-plus innings, allowing nine runs on six hits and four walks.

NOTES: Chase Headley had three hits and an RBI for the Padres. ... Washington placed LHP Ross Detwiler (lower back strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 4. The Nationals are expected to activated RHP Dan Haren (shoulder) from the 15-day DL to replace Detwiler in the rotation for Monday's series opener at Philadelphia. ... San Diego placed C Yasmani Grandal (right knee sprain) on the 60-day disabled list and called up C Rene Rivera from Triple-A Tuscon. ... San Diego returns home for a three-game series against Colorado. RHP Edinson Volquez (6-6, 5.26) opposes RHP Rockies Tyler Chatwood (4-2, 2.75) on Monday.

[Associated Press]

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