WASHINGTON - After three straight walk-offs, the Washington Nationals went for a cakewalk instead. Sure, winning late over and over again is a thrill, but its not good for the blood pressure — not to mention the workload of the bullpen. Stephen Strasburg provided much of the salve Tuesday night, allowing one run and three hits over a season-high eight innings as the Nationals ran their winning streak to eight games with an 8-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. "I guess its what the doctor ordered," Strasburg said. That, along with a six-run third inning. Asdrubal Cabreras bases-clearing double blew the game open, giving Washington an overdue breather in what is now its longest winning run since August 2012. "I think were just coming together," said shortstop Ian Desmond, who had four RBIs. "Weve kind of established our way, I guess you would say." Success had come with suspense for the Nats: four consecutive one-run games, including the last three decided by the final at-bat, and the last two in the 11th inning. But Strasburg (10-10) did just what the Nationals needed him to do: eat up innings to give the overtaxed relievers a break. He struck out four to give him an NL-leading 198 for the season, besting his previous single-season high of 197 in 2012 — the year he was shut down early after returning from elbow surgery. "The way Stephen pitched is, I hope, indicative of what were going to see in the future," Desmond said. "Hes been great a lot in his career, but tonight was one of those games where it was really fun to watch." The Nationals sent seven batters to the plate in the third before the Diamondbacks could record an out. Rookie Chase Anderson (7-5) faced six of them, allowing five singles and a walk before he was pulled in the shortest outing of his young career. Jayson Werths broken-bat single up the middle scored the first Nationals run, and Desmonds single brought in two more. After Bryce Harpers single loaded the bases, Anderson was pulled for Eury De La Rosa, who gave up Cabreras drive that took one bounce before hitting the wall in right-centre. "I just kind of didnt attack the guys like I should attack," Anderson said. "I think if you execute pitches and get ahead, you can kind of get anybody out. Thats just the name of the game." David Peraltas first-inning home run accounted for all the scoring for the Diamondbacks, who have lost four straight. MAYBE I SHOULDNT TELL THE SKIPPER Nationals manager Matt Williams praised Desmonds ability to "shorten down" on a swing that produced a pair of runs: "Hes going to get a bunch of homers, we know that, but when he can take a two-run single, hes feeling it and hes seeing the ball good." Oops. Turns out it was totally an accident. Desmond said he was just trying to fight off a pitch. "I dont know if I chose to shorten up," Desmond said. "I think the jammage probably shortened me up a little bit." ENDERS END GAME Diamondbacks CF Ender Inciarte grounded out in the ninth to finish an 0-for-4 night, ending his team rookie record hitting streak at 18 games. TRAINERS ROOM Nationals OF Nate McLouth will have surgery Thursday for a torn labrum in his right shoulder and is done for the year. He hit .173 with one home run and seven RBIs in 79 games in his first season in Washington. UP NEXT Arizonas Trevor Cahill (3-8, 4.68 ERA) faces Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.93) on Wednesday night in the third game of the four-game set. Karl Mecklenburg Womens Jersey . Solomon Elimimian did not make the trip with the team after suffering what appeared to be a right leg injury in the teams regular season finale against the Calgary Stampeders. Drew Lock Womens Jersey . Thats when the eight-time champion revealed that a painful back is slowing his serves -- and, all in all, giving him more trouble than his opponents so far. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/ .Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum. Shannon Sharpe Jersey . Josh Mazzola drove in five runs to lead the Goldeyes (20-12) past the Capitales 11-5 Friday night at Le Stade Municipal in Quebec City. Courtland Sutton Womens Jersey . The defending champions sent their preliminary list to FIFA on Tuesday, with coach Vicente del Bosque to announce the final 23-man squad on May 25. Costa is set to lead the attack in his native Brazil, with Atletico Madrid teammate David Villa and Chelseas Fernando Torres also included, while David de Gea replaces injured goalkeeper Victor Valdes.Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Read on for the biggest rumours as GMs have one day remaining to make moves prior to the beginning of free agency. Organized Reim The Toronto Maple Leafs may now also be able to add finding a new home for James Reimer to their list of tasks. The 26-year-old is reportedly seeking a trade after losing the lions share of crease time with the Leafs this season to Jonathan Bernier. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger stated Monday that the request is not unexpected. "James Reimers trade request should come as no surprise," he said in a tweet. "He believes hes a #1 and wants a fresh start to prove that." He added that the Leafs do not have a strong offer for Reimer on the table and that he has been told to be ready for training camp in the event a suitable deal can not be found. Toronto does have interest in Martin Brodeur, according to Dreger, but his sense is that the interest is "mild". Toronto is also expected to make another offer to Dave Bolland on Monday. Dreger said he does not expect the Leafs to go beyond $25 million over five years, which he believes will not be enough to keep Bolland from the open market. Centre Stage After failing to strike a deal at the NHL Draft, Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray is now inching ever closer to the July 1 free agency opening without a new home for centre Jason Spezza. McKenzie said Monday that while interest remains high in the 31-year-old, there is nothing imminent on the trade front. "[St. Louis] and [Dallas] are the two teams who currently have interest in [Ottawa]s Jason Spezza," he tweeted Monday. "Doesnt sound like a deal is close." Van City Thomas Vanek is another popular option for teams seeking a breakout forward. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports that there are eight-to-10 teams interested in the big Austrian winger, including the Minnesota Wild. The Wild are not believed to be interested in a long-term deal, LeBrun says, but that does not appear to be a deterrent for Vanek who is still believed to like Minnesota as a possible landing spot. Bringing up Boyle Dan Boyle will likely have no shortage of options once the formal offers start rolling in on Tuesday. Dreger reports that Boyle will have multiple offers to consider come noon et on a new two-year deal. The Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers as well as Toronto and Montreal are believed to be his top five destinations, according to Dreger. Speaking to TSN Radio 1050s Mike Richards on Monday, Dreger said "a return to Tampa Bay would make sense because there is some familiarity between both parties." Welcome Matt Interest remains high in UFA defenceman Matt Niskanen, meanwhile. Dreger reports that more than 10 teams have expressed interest in the Pens blueliner. Niskanens camp is believed to be set to trim that number down over the course of Monday to get ready for formal offers on Tuesday. Avalanche of Options Paul Stastny is another big name drawing lots of attention.dddddddddddd LeBrun tweeted Monday that Stastny and agent Matt Keator will work to cut down their destinations list prior to Tuesday and that the St. Louis Blues are expected to remain in the mix. However, LeBrun added that a return to Colorado is still not off the board. The Avalanche dont appear to have the funds to throw around that other suitors might in their pursuit of the 28-year-old centre. Playing it Kul With free agency looming, Nikolai Kulemin may look to join a compatriot once the market opens on Tuesday. Dreger told TSN Radio that the Russian winger could be looking to join former Magnitogorsk teammate Evgeni Malkin and the Pittsburgh Penguins once he officially hits unrestricted free agency. "The Pittsburgh Penguins have expressed interest and with a salary of $3-3.5 million dollars, he will have no shortage of suitors," Dreger said. Curious Gorges The Leafs are still believed to be in pursuit of Montreal Canadiens blueliner Josh Gorges, but his modified no-trade clause may be holding things up. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted the Leafs are still hoping hell waive his NTC. If that would occur, McKenzie stated "its believed Montreal would get a roster player from Toronto" in exchange. However, the blueliner may not waive his clause at all. McKenzie tweeted that the situation is "problematic for all. Montreal had deal with Toronto but Gorges refused to waive his modified NTC to go to Toronto. Still wont." The Gorges situation could get more complicated if he refuses to waive his no-trade. According to McKenzie, Montreal appears to want to shed his cap space. They are able to trade him to one of 15 pre-approved teams, but could also put him on waivers failing a trade. If put on waivers, Montreal gets no return but Gorges then loses all control of where he could potentially end up, meaning Gorges might be convinced to take a trade to Toronto instead of being available to any one of the leagues 29 other franchises. Restricted List Monday will see a host of NHL teams extending qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents, but some players will be cut loose to find new teams via unrestricted free agency. The Anaheim Ducks have not qualified Mathieu Perreault, but are believed to have made him a substantial offer. He will hit unrestricted free agency unless he accepts the offer. Other players without offers include the Vancouver Canucks Zac Delpe and Jordan Schroeder, the Ottawa Senators Jim OBrien, Nathan Lawson and Tyler Eckford (per Le Droits Sylvain St-Laurent), Tampa Bay defender Keith Aulie (per the Tampa Bay Times Joe Smith), Dallas Stars centre Dustin Jeffrey (per Stars writer Mark Stepaneski), Rangers defenceman Justin Falk (per ESPNs Katie Strang). Check back in with TSN.ca over the course of the day for breaking news and big rumours ahead of the July 1 Free Agent Frenzy. Watch live coverage of the Free Agent Frenzy Tuesday on TSN starting at 11:30am et/8:30am pt. ' ' '