Strasburg handcuffs Rays in 10-strikeout performance

WASHINGTON — Before the first pitch was thrown, Stephen Strasburg saw home plate umpire Jeff Nelson walked toward the mound and began preparing for a pine tar search.

Strikeout total climbs: Washington's Stephen Strasburg throws a pitch against Tampa Bay in the first inning on Wednesday. The Nationals beat the Rays 3-2. AP

"I thought he was going to check my glove," Strasburg said.

As it turned out, the ump only wanted to see the ball, which had bounced in the dirt on the throw to second following Strasburg's final warm-up toss. The Washington Nationals ace was free to work his usual magic, which on Wednesday consisted of 10 strikeouts over seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 3-2 win that stopped a four-game losing streak.

"We kind of had a laugh on the bench," Washington manager Davey Johnson said. "When the umpire came out, he wanted to look at the ball. Stras was getting ready to undress. . . . He was ready to take everything off and have them search him."

Pitchers on both sides were on extra alert one night after Rays reliever Joel Peralta was ejected for having pine tar in his glove, igniting a skirmish of words between Johnson and Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon that carried over into Wednesday.

But the game itself passed without incident, except for the widespread boos that greeted Peralta when he entered the game with one out in the eighth inning. Peralta is likely to be suspended by Major League Baseball, but he remains eligible to pitch while the league office examines his glove and continues its investigation. Using a different mitt, Peralta retired the two batters he faced without needing much encouragement from his manager.

"He was jacked up enough," Maddon said. "He didn't need me to say anything to him."

Strasburg (9-1) prevailed in a fastballer's duel with newbie Chris Archer to win his sixth consecutive start, allowing five hits and two runs while throwing 111 pitches. Tyler Clippard picked up his 10th save.

Diamondbacks 14, Mariners 10

In Phoenix, Ryan Roberts hit an inside-the-park home run, Justin Upton added a three-run shot and Arizona tied a franchise record with six homers during a wild win over Seattle.

Ichiro Suzuki finished 1-for-5 in the loss, while teammate Munenori Kawasaki was hitless in three at-bats. Mariners reliever Hisashi Iwakuma allowed a run in 1? innings.

Mets 4, Orioles 3

In New York, Dillon Gee extended the Mets' shutout streak to 29 innings before Baltimore broke through late, and New York held off the Orioles for a three-game sweep.

The Mets nearly shut out the Orioles for the third straight day, before Wilson Betemit hit a two-run homer in the eighth and Steve Pearce drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth.

Indians 8, Reds 1

In Cleveland, Justin Masterson pitched a three-hitter for his first complete game this season and the AL Central-leading Indians finished a three-game sweep of Cincinnati.

Masterson (4-6) took a shutout into the eighth before the Reds ended the right-hander's streak of consecutive scoreless innings at 18.

Cardinals 3, Tigers 1

In Detroit, Jake Westbrook pitched his first complete game in over two years, giving up only an unearned run in the Cardinals' victory over the Tigers.

Red Sox 15, Marlins 5

In Boston, David Ortiz hit a grand slam for one of the Red Sox's four homers as they set a season high in runs, beating the Marlins.

Mike Aviles, Jarod Saltalamacchia and Will Middlebrooks also homered.

Braves 10, Yankees 5

In New York, Jason Heyward hit two of a record nine homers at the new Yankee Stadium and Atlanta beat the Yankees.

Brewers 8, Blue Jays 3

In Milwaukee, Yovani Gallardo pitched into the seventh inning and Ryan Braun hit one of the Brewers' four homers in a win over Toronto.

Royals 2, Astros 1

In Houston, Bruce Chen pitched into the sixth inning on three days' rest and Brayan Pena drove in a run.

Twins 2, Pirates 1

In Pittsburgh, Josh Willingham hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning for Minnesota.

White Sox 7, Cubs 0

In Chicago, Gavin Floyd pitched four-hit ball into the seventh, Gordon Beckham homered, and the struggling White Sox beat the Cubs to avoid a three-game sweep.

Athletics 4, Dodgers 1

In Oakland, Tommy Milone pitched a three-hitter for his first career complete game and Yoenis Cespedes had two hits and an RBI in his return to the lineup as the Athletics won for the seventh time in eight games.

Angels 6, Giants 0

In Los Angeles, Jered Weaver pitched six innings of two-hit ball in his return from the disabled list and the Angels beat the Giants, handing Ryan Vogelsong his first loss in almost seven weeks.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 7, Rockies 6

In Philadelphia, Todd Helton missed tagging first base to allow the winning run to score on Placido Polanco's grounder in the ninth inning and the Phillies rallied to beat the Rockies.

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