The Nationals scratched Stephen Strasburg from his start against Clayton Kershaw two hours before the game due to back stiffness:

Strasburg first felt trouble Saturday, during a workout.

“I was doing some exercises in the weight room. Felt a little pinch, didn’t think much of it,” Strasburg said. “But as that day went on, my back started to lock up a little bit more. I tried to get treatment as much as I could the last two days.”

Knowing that Strasburg was experiencing discomfort, Baker said he alerted Yusmeiro Petit to the possibility he could have to start Monday night. He told him for sure around 5:20 p.m.. By that time, a few hours of treatment and pain medication had not helped Strasburg enough, and the Nationals decided to scratch him.

“I think it’s something that’s manageable. It’s gotten better — that’s the big thing. It’s just still there,” Strasburg said after the game. “I just don’t want to make the same mistake I made last year and have it become a long term thing.”

Right. Better one game now that three or four down the road. Petit pitched well, allowing three runs in six innings, but the Nationals could manage just six hits against Kershaw in seven innings, and seven on the night as Kershaw and the Dodgers win 4-1. Kershaw is now 11-1 with a 1.57 ERA. He did not walk a batter, and struck out eight. He opened up a 13 point lead in Tom Tango Cy Young Tracker points.