Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who was battling forearm tightness, turned in a solid outing as he struck out eight but did not factor into the decision Saturday afternoon against the Pirates.
Strasburg, who made his seventh start of the season, served up a two-run home run to Starling Marte and another two-run shot to Clint Barmes in the fifth for his only damage of the evening. The right-hander surrendered four runs and five hits in seven innings of work in a 5-4 victory. He walked two on 95 pitches, 65 for strikes.
Strasburg has struck out eight in each of the last two starts. He has allowed six runs in 13 innings over that span.
He is scheduled to pitch Saturday at home against the Cubs. The 24-year-old allowed one run and five hits over seven innings of work his last time out against the Cubs in 2012.