D-backs can’t pick up Bradley against Nats

PHOENIX — One of the most encouraging aspects of this Nationals season to manager Dusty Baker is that they are in first place, despite the fact that they believe they have yet to play their best baseball. Baker said before Monday night’s series opener against the D-backs that perhaps August will be when they finally hit their stride.

And Washington began the month with a strong start, pummeling Arizona, 14-1, at Chase Field as Stephen Strasburg became the first pitcher in the Majors with 15 wins. The Nationals’ right-hander collected as many hits (three) and drove in as many runs (one) as he allowed in his six innings.

Although Strasburg did not display the dominance he has shown at other games this season, he did not have to. The Nationals set new season-highs with 14 runs and 19 hits.

“You can’t complain, that’s for sure,” Strasburg said. “You just try and not read into it too much, keep telling yourself there’s a lot of game left and you just got to go out there and do your job.”

The Nationals set new season-highs with 14 runs and 19 hits. They chased D-backs starter Archie Bradley in the fourth inning, tagging him for eight runs on 12 hits. Bradley had been pitching well — with a 2.63 ERA in his last four starts — before posting one of the worst outings of his career Monday.

“He just didn’t have it tonight — location, getting ahead in the count, all the things that we teach,” Arizona manager Chip Hale said. “Balls were too middle, and they did a good job of hitting them. That’s a good lineup, and if you don’t have your location and your ability to get ahead in the count, it’s tough to face them.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDFirst to 15: Strasburg (15-1) became the first pitcher in MLB to reach his 15th victory of the season, matching his career-high in victories already this season. He tossed six innings of one-run ball with a pair of walks and six …

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