NEU » Continued his solid finals form with

WASHINGTON -- With Stephen Strasburg joining Joe Ross as sidelined members of the Washington Nationals starting rotation, the teams young prospects like A.J. Cole are filling the void.Coles latest effort was done in by one bad inning as he surrendered two third-inning homers in Washingtons 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night.Peter Bourjos led off the third with a blast off the left field foul pole and, with two outs, Ryan Howard lifted a fly ball that carried over the fence in center.He just made a couple of pitches that he wished he had back tonight, manager Dusty Baker said. One homer hit the foul pole and the other one scraped the wall. He seems kind of unfazed by the challenges of the big leagues.Cole (1-2), coming off his first major league win, allowed four runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out eight batters without a walk.Ive always believed in myself as being a big league pitcher, Cole said, and Ive got to be able to show that, and thats what Im doing right now.The Nationals received hopeful news regarding Strasburg, who left his start in the third inning Wednesday night after feeling a pinch in the back of his elbow.Strasburg has a strained flexor mass in his elbow and the Nationals dont know when he will pitch again, but Baker and director of athletic training Paul Lessard voiced optimism after an MRI revealed no ligament damage.We have young guys here that I know they can throw, catcher Jose Lobaton said. Hopefully (Reynaldo) Lopez and A.J. can be good for the team.Alec Asher (1-0) pitched six innings of two-hit ball coming off a suspension for the Phillies.Asher, acquired from the Rangers in the trade for Cole Hamels, ended last season in the Phillies starting rotation and went 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA in seven starts.The right-hander pitched to contact, walking one batter without a strikeout, and throwing 75 pitches in earning his first major league victory.I felt like I wasnt myself at the end of last year and I kind of let the moment get to me, Asher said. I just said Im going to go out there and have fun.Asher (1-0) was suspended for 80 games while on the disabled list with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in June after a positive drug test. He made four minor league appearances beginning in late August and his suspension ended Sept. 4.Everythings in the past now, Asher said. Its unfortunate what happened. Theres nothing I can do but come up here and pitch now.The Phillies snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Nationals.Trailing 4-0, Washington loaded the bases with one out in the eighth inning. Daniel Murphy hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track and Bryce Harper struck out.Jeanmar Gomez pitched the ninth for his 36th save.Howards homer was career No. 378, tying him with former Nationals manager Matt Williams for 72nd on the all-time list.DOUBLE DOINGSMurphy picked up his 40th double of the season, matching his career high. Hes the first second baseman in Nationals history (2005-present) to post a 40-double season.TRAINERS ROOMNationals: Normally (these injuries) come around very well with treatment and strengthening programs, Lessard said of Strasburgs elbow. Its not a season-ending injury, but we still need to take time (so) that hes nice and strong because of his past.... Baker said RHP Ross (right shoulder inflammation) is progressing well and the team is trying to determine where hell pitch next with few minor league games remaining.UP NEXTPhillies: RHP Jake Thompson (1-5, 6.48) makes his seventh career start and second against the Nationals. He allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings of a 4-0 loss to Washington on Aug. 29.Nationals: RHP Tanner Roark (14-8, 2.89) looks to continue his recent mastery of the Phillies. Hes 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA versus Philadelphia this season. His career mark against them is 5-5 with a 3.81 ERA in 11 games, including nine starts.Ryan Johansen Predators Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Kyle Turris Jersey . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. http://www.authenticpredatorspro.com/Ryan-johansen-predators-jersey/ . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Pekka Rinne Predators Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Ryan Ellis Predators Jersey .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play.STARS AND STINKERS FOR THE SHARKS IN THE NRL GRAND FINAL1. BEN BARBA - Capped off a brilliant season with an assured performance at the back and the Sharks opening try from an old-fashioned scrum play. 82. SOSAIA FEKI - Calm under pressure out of the in-goal before a left knee injury forced him off early in the second half. 6.53. JACK BIRD - Could barely use his right arm after twisting it in a tackle but battled on for a brave second half. 7.54. RICKY LEUTELE - Typically solid in defence with a few hard runs. 7.55. VALENTINE HOLMES - Showed the speed and agility thats made him a success in the NRL. Four tackle busts. 86. JAMES MALONEY - One of the best on field. His big game experience proved invaluable, creating plenty of opportunities and booting 3/3 for the win. 97. CHAD TOWNSEND - A solid kicking game and reliable in defence, despite an early dropped offload from Fifita. 7.58. ANDREW FIFITA - A freak. Made 23 runs for 189m, 12 tackle busts and scored the match-winning try under the posts in the 70th minute. 9.59. MICHAEL ENNIS - At his pesky best in hiis farewell match.dddddddddddd Gave away a penalty in the first set but made a team-high 41 tackles. 810. MATT PRIOR - Continued his solid finals form with a mammoth 189m effort, despite time out with concussion. 811. LUKE LEWIS - A warrior and relentless as ever. Clive Churchill medallist. Slid to within centimetres of the Sharks first try. 912. WADE GRAHAM - Copped a couple of big knocks and struggled at times. A few good kicks but missed seven tackles. 613. PAUL GALLEN - A typically powerful performance from the skipper. Set up Barbas try. 8INTERCHANGE14. GERARD BEALE - A couple of nice plays under pressure in limited minutes. 6.515. CHRIS HEIGHINGTON - Had an immediate impact with some barnstorming runs and handy carries. 716. SAM TAGATESE - Only saw eight minutes but was solid in his first outing in five weeks. 6.517. JASON BUKUYA - Made plenty of metres before being taken off with a nasty concussion in the second half. 7.5 ' ' '