Stephen Strasburg lasted only two innings and 37 pitches before being pulled from the Nationals' 3-2 victory over the Braves Friday with a right oblique strain. He will return to Washington to be evaluated as the Nationals, who are currently missing Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth and Ross Detwiler, continue to be ravaged by injuries throughout their lineup.
“It’s something where, the last few starts I’d feel it warming up,” Strasburg told reporters. “I’d go out there and I wouldn’t feel anything. Tonight, it was more kind of like the reverse. I felt really good in the bullpen. I threw a couple pitches in there, and it started to tighten up. I felt it more and more. Nothing I could do about it. I’m kind of frustrated.”
Coincidentally, Friday was Strasburg's third consecutive start at Turner Field in which he left with some sort of injury or ailment. Last June 30, Strasburg was removed from the game after three innings with severe dehydration during the hottest day on record in Atlanta history.
In his first start in Atlanta this season on April 29, Strasburg lasted six innings before feeling tightness in his forearm. He was pulled as a precaution.
Craig Stammen filled in admirably for Strasburg, throwing four scoreless innings without allowing a hit to earn his third win of the season.
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