Dan Haren's support is paltry, with the Nationals scoring 2.9 runs per game he starts, and the seventh-worst mark in the major leagues. But Stephen Strasburg has borne the brunt of the Nationals' offensive woes.
Corey Kluber pitched eight shutout innings and the Cleveland Indians spoiled Stephen Strasburg's return with a 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
Two pitches after his foul popup fell between Nick Swisher and second baseman Jason Kipnis, Rendon homered into the Nationals' bullpen off Vinnie Pestano (1-2) to stun the Indians and the crowd of 33,307.
With runners on second and third and one out, Jason Kipnis hit a hard ground ball to the right side. First baseman Adam LaRoche made a diving backhanded stop and fired a throw to catcher Kurt Suzuki, but Drew Stubbs slid in with the winning run.
The Nationals were mum Monday on the results of Harper's second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. And while the outfielder is eligible to return to the active roster as early as Tuesday, when he actually will remains unclear.
In a 7-0 beating of the Minnesota Twins Sunday afternoon, the Nationals took the first game of a doubleheader and put another game into the category of "possible streak starter."
Nats' 3-4-5 hitters combined to go 2 for 15, as Washington failed to score in the final six innings.
The swelling in Bryce Harper's left knee isn't getting any better, so the Washington outfielder will see a specialist next week and won't be coming off the disabled list when he is eligible.
As the Nationals arrived at Tuesday as a 28-29 baseball team, their clubhouse was a flurry of action before they opened a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Nationals made made sweeping changes to their bullpen, welcomed back a team leader, added a top prospect and placed one of their most embattled players on the disabled list.
