D-Backs fall to Nationals, 6-2

 PHOENIX – Stephen Strasburg left after struggling with his control in the second inning, and the Washington Nationals wrapped up a successful nine-game trip with a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

There was no word from the Nationals during the game explaining the standout right-hander’s departure.

Strasburg, 10-3 with a 3.31 ERA entering the game, uncharacteristically walked the No. 8 and No. 9 batters in the second inning before departing with a 5-0 lead. He threw 51 pitches, 29 strikes.

Brian Goodwin’s leadoff homer ignited a four-run first inning off Robbie Ray (9-5), who lasted five innings, allowing five runs.

Wilmer Difo hit his second home run of the season off reliever T.J. McFarland in the seventh.

Joe Blanton (1-2) got two outs and earned the win.

The NL East-leading Nationals took two of three in Arizona to go 7-2 on the trip.

Nationals extend lead; J.D. Martinez appears

Wilmer Difo connected for a solo home run in the top of the seventh, extending the Nationals lead to 6-2, which was where it stood as play entered the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Diamondbacks had yet another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh but again came up empty. This time, it involved slugger J.D. Martinez, who made his first appearance since being hit by a pitch on his left hand last week in Cincinnati.

With a runner on first and two out, Martinez entered as a pinch-hitter and drew a walk against Nationals reliever Enny Romero, who then departed with an apparent injury. Matt Albers entered and struck out Chris Herrmann to end the inning.

Difo’s home run came off reliever T.J. McFarland. The ball went off the video board above the pool area in right-center field.

D-Backs can’t break through in middle innings

Following the departure of Nationals’ right-hander Stephen Strasburg in the third, the Diamondbacks had multiple opportunities to chip away at the Washington lead but could not cash in — as Arizona was trailing, 5-2, as play moved to the seventh inning.

The D-Backs are just 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and are 0-for-4 in their most recent such situations.

Four straight baserunners capped by back-to-back RBI singles by Ketel Marte and David Peralta put the D-Backs on the board for the first time, but Paul Goldschmidt stuck out and Chris Owings hit into a fielder’s choice to leave a pair of runners on base.

In the sixth, Brandon Drury singled and went from first to third on a line drive off the bat of Gregor Blanco with one out. Blanco stole second to put a pair in scoring position, but A.J. Pollock struck out as a pinch hitter and Daniel Descalso grounded out to end the threat.

Robbie Ray was lifted after five innings in which he yielded six hits, five runs (four earned) and two walks. He struck out four batters.

Strasburg leaves after two scoreless 

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg exited Sunday’s game after two scoreless innings against the Diamondbacks. The former No. 1 overall pick threw 51 pitches, walked three batters and allowed a hit. He left with a 5-0 lead.

Eyebrows were raised when Nationals pitcher Edwin Jackson toed the on-deck circle in Strasburg’s place, but Jose Lobaton struck out to end the inning before Strasburg could be officially replaced.

Left-hander Matt Grace took over for Strasburg in the third inning. No word has been given on why he was replaced.

Nationals jump on Ray, D-Backs in first

Robbie Ray’s fourth pitch of the day was driven 448 feet to straightaway center by Nationals leadoff man Brian Goodwin for a solo homer, and Ray’s first inning on Sunday didn’t get any easier after that.

The Nationals scored four runs and made Ray throw 39 pitches in the first. It was the most runs he’s allowed in an inning all season.

Ray walked just one but appeared to be struggling with his location for much of the inning. The pitch Goodwin hit was a 2-1 fastball that was about belt high and caught a lot of the plate. Goodwin hit it above the yellow line on the batter’s eye in center field.

After that, the Nationals collected four singles and a walk to score three more runs off Ray. Two of the hits came with runners in scoring position – the sort of situation in which Ray has tended to pitch well this season.

Martinez hopeful to start vs. Braves on Monday

Newly acquired outfielder J.D. Martinez is hopeful he can return to the starting lineup for the series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Monday at Chase Field.

After missing four straight starts since injuring his left hand on a hit-by-pitch in his team debut on Wednesday in Cincinnati, Martinez made his home debut on Sunday — drawing a walk a pinch-hit appearance in the seventh inning.

The natural thought is to see if he can play tomorrow,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He came out of the at bat good and we’ll see how he feels when he gets to the ballpark tomorrow. We’re all anticipating a good outcome from the at bat and anticipating the good news tomorrow.”

Martinez is hitless in three at bats since the trade, but the right-handed hitter still owns a .302 batting average, 16 home runs and an OPS of 1.008 on the season. He is one of just five players in MLB with an on-base plus slugging percentage over 1.000 in 2017.

X-rays came back negative in Cincinnati and an MRI performed by team doctors on Friday was negative as well. If the day-to-day progression continues overnight Sunday, Martinez could return as a fixture in the starting lineup as early as Monday.

“I told Torey we’ll see how it goes tomorrow,” Martinez said. “If it feels like the progression over the last couple of days then we’ll be good to go tomorrow.”

The 29-year-old received a loud ovation when he was introduced for the first time at Chase Field, a moment many Diamondbacks fans were getting anxious about.

“I thought it was a special moment,” Lovullo said. “It was a nice crowd, and I know that several people have been asking me when he’s going to be playing. It was a theme coming home that everyone wanted to see him play. I was excited for that moment. It was pretty special.”

For Martinez, the warm welcome was not lost on the former Tigers’ slugger.

“It was definitely cool,” Martinez said. “Torey was kind of telling me they’re gonna be happy when they see you. It was one of those experiences. I’m happy that the fans welcomed me in like that.”

Down day for Jake Lamb

Much like Paul Goldschmidt’s rest day on Saturday, Lovullo opted to give third baseman Jake Lamb a breather on Sunday.

Lamb, who like Goldschmidt was an All-Star, is not in the starting lineup but will be available off the bench for the Diamondbacks.

“It’s a down day for Jake, something I had been planning with him for a while,” Lovullo said. “He’s been grinding, much like Goldy yesterday he was an All-Star with two less off days than other guys so I wanted to make it up to him.”

As Lovullo met with the media around 10:45 a.m. local time, he predicted Lamb was enjoying some much needed down time. Lamb was told to come to the park around 11:30.

“I told him to come in late just to make sure he was ready for the game with the idea that potentially come off the bench late in the game,” Lovullo said. “I think guys need moments like that. And he knew the night before, so he’s probably sleeping right now and thinking about coming to the ballpark.”

Walker to rejoin rotation on Tuesday

Right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker rejoined the club on Sunday after a stint on the paternity list and is expected to start on Tuesday against the Braves, according to Lovullo.

Walker will follow Zack Greinke, who is slated to start on Monday, and precede Patrick Corbin’s start on Wednesday.

“He’s here and he’s resting as well as he possibly can be,” Lovullo said. “He’s excited to get back on the mound and back in his routine.”

Top prospect Anthony Banda made a spot start in place of Walker on Saturday, as the 23-year-old lefty allowing four runs in 5 ? innings against the Nationals.

Updates on injured D-backs

Rehabbing a shoulder injury, right-handed pitcher Rubby De La Rosa allowed three runs in an inning of work with Triple-A Reno on Saturday.

Despite the crooked line score, all reports suggest the flame-throwing reliever felt good after the outing. De La Rosa will report back with Reno on Sunday and further assessments will be made in the coming days.

“Stuff was very good, all reports indicate that he came out of it healthy,” Lovullo said. “We’ll get an idea of how he feels moving forward today when he gets to the ballpark in Reno.”

Outfielder Yasmany Tomas continues to ramp up his baseball activities including hitting in the cage and throwing, but the Cuban product continues to feel discomfort in his lower half, according to Lovullo.

Sunday’s game

When: 1:10 p.m.

Where: Chase Field

Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (9-4, 2.97) vs. Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-3, 3.31).

TV/Radio: FSAZ/KMVP-FM (98.7), KHOV-FM (105.1)

Ray has pitched at least six innings in nine of his last 10 starts. He won his last appearance, holding the Cincinnati Reds to four hits and two runs over six innings on Tuesday. Walks have become a problem for Ray, though. He’s walked at least three batters in his last six starts. Strasburg struck out 11 in his last start, a win over the Reds. He’s struck out 139 batters this year while walking just 34. This is his first outing against the Diamondbacks this season.

Coming up

Monday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Greinke (11-4, 2.97) vs. Braves RHP R.A. Dickey (6-6, 4.14)

Tuesday: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Taijuan Walker (6-4, 3.61) vs. Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz (8-5, 3.87)

Wednesday: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (7-9, 4.43) vs. Braves LHP Jaime Garcia (4-7, 4.30)