Strasburg on target when the lights turn on

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

July 21, 2010, 8:15am

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Fresh off his 22nd birthday, Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg gets the call tonight against the Reds Bronson Arroyo. With the win last Friday night in Miami, Strasburg is now the last Nats starter to post a win. He has won his last two decisions for Washington. It seems he has been counted on to stop losing streaks for the Nats in almost every outing this season. Strasburg has been "lights on" at night for the Nats this season. According to STATS, Inc. he is in the top four all-time in franchise history (Expos/Nationals) for rookie ERAs in night games with a stunning 1.95. Steve Rogers (1973) 1.43, Kirk Rueter (1993) 1.45 and Hal Dues (1978) 1.63 head the list. Strasburg has allowed only seven runs in 32 1/3 innings at night. Of course, Strasburg has not exactly had that much help offensively (remember the Royals loss, 1-0). In his four wins, he has had a run support average of 6.66, and in his two losses, just one run in 24 1/3 innings. Arroyo has been hot for the Reds, having won five of his last six starts with a 2.20 ERA and an opponent batting average of .205.