NATIONAL LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, WASHINGTON
Stephen Strasburg returned to form and won his first game in nearly a month with the aid of a pair of Adam Dunn home runs as the Washington Nationals cruised to an 8-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday.
Strasburg improved to 3-2 with his first win since June 13, having endured a pair of losses and three no-decisions since overpowering the Cleveland Indians in a 9-4 victory.
After giving up a lead-off home run to Andres Torres in the first inning, Strasburg allowed just two more hits and a walk, while striking out eight in six innings.
“After that I was like: ‘You know what, bottom line, if they’re going to beat me, they’re going to beat me. Me calling my own game,’” Strasburg told reporters. “I just put it all on my shoulders.”
Dunn was three-for-four with three RBIs and three runs scored. His solo home run in the third inning broke a 1-1 tie and his two-run blast in the seventh was part of a four-run inning that put the game out of reach for San Francisco.
“I think every hitter, especially every power hitter, goes through a stretch where they hit home runs,” Dunn said. “That’s kind of what’s happening right now.”
After falling behind in the top of the first inning, the Nationals countered with a run in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a throwing error by pitcher Matt Cain on an attempted pickoff at second base.
Washington added two more runs in the sixth.
Giants starter Matt Cain (6-8) gave up 11 hits in over six innings, allowing all eight runs, while striking out six and walking three.
DODGERS 9, CUBS 7
In Los Angeles, Russell Martin hit a three-run homer, All-Star Andre Ethier had two RBI singles and Casey Blake drove in two runs as Los Angeles beat Chicago.
The Dodgers have won eight of 11 and they finally broke out some offense against the Cubs, who have lost the first two games of the series. Neither team had scored more than three runs in any of the previous four games between them at Dodger Stadium.
Chad Billingsley (7-4) won his third straight, allowing four runs and seven hits in seven-plus innings. He struck out nine and walked four.
All-Star Marlon Byrd had four hits and three RBIs.
Friday’s other results:
• Braves 4, Mets 2
• Phillies 9, Reds 7, 10 innings
• Cardinals 8, Astros 0
• Brewers 5, Pirates 4, 10 innings
• Rockies 10, Padres 8
• Marlins 3, Diamondbacks 2
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AP, TORONTO
Jon Lester pitched six innings to win his third consecutive start as the Boston Red Sox hit four homers in a 14-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron and Bill Hall connected for Boston, who snapped a four-game skid and improved to 6-1 against the Blue Jays this season. Hall finished with three hits and four RBIs.
Lester (11-3) allowed two runs and four hits, struck out six and walked two. He is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his last three starts and has won 11 of 12 decisions overall.
John McDonald and Jose Molina went deep for the Blue Jays, who lead the Major Leagues with 132 homers. Boston are second with 116.
Friday’s other results:
• Tigers 7, Twins 3
• Yankees 6, Mariners 1
• White Sox 8, Royals 2
• Indians 9, Rays 3
• Angels 6, Athletics 5, 10 innings
• Orioles 7, Rangers 6, 10 innings
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