Page 21 - ARUBA TODAY

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SPORTS Friday 5 april 2019

Strasburg, Nats win 4-0 to ruin home opener for weary Mets

By MIKE FITZPATRICK ting .377 against them. But the first two batters in the
AP Baseball Writer a week after getting shut second, and both moved
NEW YORK (AP) — With- out in their home opener up on a wild pitch. Juan
out much time to rest up by Jacob deGrom and the Soto scored without a play
for their home opener, the Mets, the Nationals turned when Syndergaard wisely
New York Mets were no the tables. went to first with Difo’s sac-
match for Stephen Stras- “If we’re going to do this, rifice bunt.
burg. I’ve got to trust the bullpen The 21-year-old Robles,
A pinpoint Strasburg out- to get the job done. And batting ninth behind Stras-
pitched Noah Synder- they got it done,” Martinez burg, drove the first pitch of
gaard, rookie Victor Robles said. the sixth over the left-field
homered for Washington’s The only hit Syndergaard fence for his second homer
only hit until the ninth inning (0-1) allowed in six innings this season — both off Syn-
and the Nationals beat the was Robles’ leadoff homer dergaard.
drowsy Mets 4-0 on Thurs- Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws in the sixth. He struck out six, TRAINER’S ROOM
day. to the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game, walked two and lost for the Nationals: INF-OF Howie
“Just executing the game Thursday, April 4, 2019, in New York. first time in his last eight de- Kendrick was reinstated
plan. I think the biggest Associated Press cisions at home. from the injured list after
thing is never taking a pitch He would have preferred maintain it. It’s just a part of The sellout crowd of 44,424 recovering from a strained
off,” Strasburg said. a day game Wednesday life, but I still want to go out was the second-largest for left hamstring. The 35-year-
Following a 5-1 trip to start in Miami or a night game there and compete and a regular-season game at old Kendrick had been
the season, the Mets got Thursday at home. give everything I have.” Citi Field. sidelined since rupturing
back to New York after “That would have been Up against Syndergaard for “I thought it was good en- his right Achilles tendon
2 a.m. in the wake of a nice,” Syndergaard said. the second time in six days, ergy. I think you’ve got to on May 19 last year. “I’d
6-4 victory at Miami. They Wilmer Difo drove in two Strasburg took a one-hitter give credit to their pitcher. like to get him a start here
were even held up about runs, and Washington’s into the seventh before giv- Great pitcher,” Mets man- pretty soon,” Martinez said.
30-45 minutes postgame struggling bullpen shined ing up consecutive singles ager Mickey Callaway said. ... 1B Matt Adams (back
Wednesday night while after Strasburg (1-0) struck with two outs. “He was executing pitches spasms) pinch-hit in the
Dominic Smith chugged out nine in 6 2/3 innings. Matt Grace threw a called at the bottom of the zone, ninth and grounded into a
enough water to be able Working with a 91-94 mph third strike past pinch-hitter keeping us off kilter, and fielder’s choice. Adams left
to complete a drug test. fastball rather than the 98- J.D. Davis, then Justin Miller they just beat us.” Tuesday’s game after tak-
But around 11 hours after 99 mph heat he used to and Tony Sipp combined Anthony Rendon doubled ing a nasty fall over a rail-
arriving in Queens in the bring, the 30-year-old righty to whiff three in a hitless against Seth Lugo to start ing while trying to catch a
middle of the night, they kept the ball off the barrel eighth. Sean Doolittle com- the ninth and scored on foul popup. ... RHP Anibal
were back on the field and walked just one. pleted the four-hitter, mak- Ryan Zimmerman’s sacri- Sanchez plans to make his
again — and their lineup “Pitching isn’t just about ing Strasburg 8-1 with a 2.14 fice fly. Difo, who delivered next scheduled start de-
looked sleepy while striking throwing as hard as you ERA in 11 starts at Citi Field. a safety squeeze in the sec- spite a sizable bruise on his
out 14 times . can. I never felt like I was “He’s pitching. He’s using all ond , added an RBI single right hip. Sanchez was hit
“I don’t think we were in a guy who tried to just do his pitches,” Nationals man- off Tim Peterson. by a line drive Wednesday
the proper situation to win that and light up the radar ager Dave Martinez said. Wilson Ramos’ leadoff sin- and left his Nationals debut
a ballgame based on the gun and be happy regard- “He looks really good.” gle in the bottom of the fifth early. ... OF Michael A. Tay-
rest of the guys’ sleep and less of outcome,” Strasburg Coming in, Washington re- was the first hit of the game, lor (right knee/hip sprain)
travel,” said Syndergaard, said. “So, it’s just execu- lievers ranked last in the although Washington had was set to begin a rehab
who flew to New York tion. I knew eventually get- majors with an 11.02 ERA, already been handed a assignment at Double-A
ahead of his teammates. ting older, it’s not going to and opponents were bat- run. Syndergaard walked Harrisburg.q

Kershaw gives up 2 runs in 4 1/3 innings in OKC rehab outing

By CLIFF BRUNT 31-year-old star could be put San Antonio ahead.
AP Sports Writer ready for opening day, but An RBI single by Jacob Not-
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — they eventually chose to tingham made it 2-0 later in
Los Angeles Dodgers ace end his franchise-record the inning. Kershaw threw
Clayton Kershaw gave up streak of eight consecutive scoreless innings in the third
two runs and struck out six opening day starts. and fourth.
in 4 1/3 innings during his re- The Dodgers said earlier this Kershaw has missed play-
hab assignment for Triple-A week that Kershaw would ing time in each of the past
Oklahoma City on Thursday likely need at least one three seasons due to inju-
night. more rehab outing after ries. He was sidelined much
The three-time Cy Young this before returning to the of 2016 with a back injury
Award winner threw 61 NL champions. before returning to pitch
pitches against the San An- In the first inning, Kershaw well late in the season and
tonio Missions, a Milwaukee walked leadoff hitter Corey in the playoffs. He also land-
Brewers affiliate. Oklahoma Ray on nine pitches, but he ed on the disabled the past
City trailed 2-0 when Ker- picked him off first. Kershaw two seasons with recurring
shaw was pulled in the top fanned Keston Hiura to back pain. The 31-year-old
of the fifth. Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw throws to first base to close out a scoreless inning. went 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA
pick off San Antonio Missions’ Corey Ray in the first inning, as
Kershaw developed in- Kershaw pitches for the Oklahoma City Dodgers on a rehab In the second, Tyrone Tay- last year, and 2-3 with a
flammation in his left shoul- assignment, in the first inning of the teams’ Triple-A baseball lor hit a drive down the left 4.20 ERA during the Dodg-
der early in spring training. game Thursday, April 4, 2019, in Oklahoma City. field line that barely stayed ers’ postseason march to
The Dodgers hoped the Associated Press fair for a solo homer that the World Series.q