WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings and Ryan Zimmerman homered twice to help the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Friday night.

Strasburg gave up two hits and two walks while striking out eight. He’s 5-1 with a 0.84 ERA since returning from the disabled list on Aug. 19. Strasburg (15-4) retired the first 14 batters before Gregory Polanco’s hard smash bounced off a diving Zimmerman at first base for the Pirates’ first hit.

Zimmerman’s multi-homer game was the 23rd of his career and seventh this season.

Gerrit Cole (12-12) kept Pittsburgh close for a while with seven strikeouts and a walk.

Andrew McCutchen drove in the Pirate run with a double in the ninth.