Making his first start free of pitch and inning restrictions, Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg held the Marlins scoreless over seven strong innings -- matching a career high -- during a 2-0 win on opening day Monday. Strasburg, shut down before the team's postseason run last season, permitted just three hits, only one for extra bases.
Pitching to contact more than in the past, the right-hander used his electric arsenal to register three strikeouts and he did not walk a batter. Of his 80 pitches, 52 went for strikes as he completed his thrilling debut in just over 90 minutes. He also retired 19 straight batters after Juan Pierre's single to lead off the game.
Strasburg is projected to make his second start of the season Sunday at Cincinnati, certainly a tougher opponent than lowly Miami. He has faced the Reds only once in his career -- during his rookie season in 2010 -- and allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings while posting seven strikeouts.