Strasburg Pitches Two Innings in Spring Opener

Allows 2-run home run; Nats drop exhibition opener to Mets, 5-3

Stephen Strasburg's first outing in the 2013 Grapefruit League got off to a rocky start Saturday afternoon in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Operating on a 45-pitch limit, Strasburg couldn't even get past the first two New York Mets batters unscathed. After Kirk Nieuwenhuis led off the bottom of the first with a single to center field, Ruben Tejada lined a 93 mile-per-hour fastball over the left-center field wall to put New York up 2-0.

Strasburg threw 31 pitches in the first inning, but retired the Mets in order on 11 pitches in the second inning before giving way to Craig Stammen, the first of five Washington relievers to pitch in the Nats' 5-3 loss.

In 2012, Strasburg posted a 15-6 record with a 3.16 ERA in 28 starts and 159.1 innings before he was shut down in early September.

CSN Washington's Nationals beat reporter Mark Zuckerman tweeted the following thoughts about Strasburg's outing. 

31 pitches for Strasburg in 1st inning, 28 of them fastballs ranging from 93-96 mph. Not exactly pinpoint command. — Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) February 23, 2013

Washington will resume its spring training schedule Sunday against the Miami Marlins.

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