See-Saw Sox Saw Some Stephen Strasburg

Stephen Strasburg—FenwayNation Photo

Tonight's game at Fenway is a testament to what back-to-back drafts and a lot of money can do: transform a mediocre team into a contending one almost overnight. No, not the Red Sox, the Washington Nationals.

Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper almost double-handedly defeated Boston Firday night, 7-4. Strasburg went six innings, yielding two runs on just four hits and struck out 13 batters. His stuff was electric—fastballs never dipping below 96, change-ups at 91, curveballs at 82. Only a clutch two-run double by Mike Aviles separated Strasburg from a shutout. Strasburg became the first visiting pitcher to fan 13 since Mike Mussina's near perfect game was broken up by Carl Everett.

Bryce Harper became only the third visiting teenager since 1940 to have three hits at Fenway. The other two? Just Al Kaline and Ken Griffey, Jr. That's all. Oh, and he went 3 for 5 with a two-run home run, double and single—driving in three.

For the good guys, (aside from Aviles) Adrian Gonzalez hit a monster home run off the back wall in center field and was robbed of another at the bullpen by Xavier Nady. Daniel Nava was 2 for 5 with an RBI. So, the see-saw Sox are back—again—at .500.