Armed with a 12-to-6 curveball and command of all his pitches on Saturday, Ross Stripling had success up and down the Nationals lineup, leading the Dodgers to a 4-1 win in the first game of a split doubleheader in Washington D.C.
Stripling was stellar in his starting role, striking out a career-high nine and walking none in his six innings. He allowed a run on just four singles, three of which were bunched together in the third inning. Stripling was pitching so well he remained in the game for the heart of the order in the sixth inning, even after already reaching a season-high 82 pitches in the first five innings.