Friday in Atlanta, Stephen Strasburg allowed seven runs on seven hits -- including a career-high four home runs -- in five innings as the Nationals lost 7-6 to the rival Braves.
Unfortunately, Strasburg's disastrous road performance was not an exception, but the rule. In 12 starts away from Nationals Park this season, he is 1-8 with a 5.25 ERA. (Comparatively, he is 7-2 with a 2.41 ERA at home.)
Opponents are hitting .291 against Strasburg on the road (.234 at home), he is walking more batters (21 to 14 at home in roughly 16 fewer innings) and striking out two fewer batters per nine innings (11.7 at home, 9.5 on the road).
Overall, Strasburg's early-inning struggles continued as well. He allowed three of his four home runs in the first two innings. Ten of the 18 home runs he has allowed this season have come in the first or second innings and his ERA in both is 5.40.
And by the way, he is now 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA at Turner Field in seven starts.
Strasburg's next scheduled start is also on the road, Thursday against the Mets. Maybe he should be sent down to the minors. Kidding.
But really, maybe he should just stay home from now on.
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