Last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick allowed four hits, two earned runs and didn’t walk a batter, piling up the most strikeouts in a debut since J.R. Richard fanned 15 for Houston in 1971.
The 21-year-old made one noticeable mistake, a 90 mph changeup golfed by Delwyn Young into the first row in right field for a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
The homer gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead, but the Nationals put their rookie in position to win with three runs in the sixth. Adam Dunn hit a two-run homer, and Josh Willinghamf ollowed with a solo shot, allowing Strasburg to leave the game with a two-run lead.
Ryan Zimmerman also homered for the Nationals, another solo shot in the first inning. All three of Washington’s home runs came off Pirates starter Jeff Karstens (1-2).
Dodgers 1 Cardinals 0: At Los Angeles, Manny Ramirez hit an RBI double in the eighth inning and surging Los Angeles took sole possession of first place in the NL West for the first time this season.
The Dodgers lead San Diego by a half-game. With their eighth win in 10 games, they’re back in first for the first time since being tied on May 22.
Hong-Chih Kuo(2-1) pitched the eighth for the win, allowing one hit and striking out one. Jonathan Broxtonpitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 15th save in 17 chances.
Trever Miller (0-1) got the loss, giving up one run and two hits in one-third of an inning.
Mets 2 Padres 1: At New York, Ike Davis homered in the 11th inning and Mike Pelfrey turned in another terrific outing for New York, which won its ninth straight home game.
Davis started the 11th with a long drive into the second deck in right field off Edward Mujica(2-1) for his seventh homer. The rookie first baseman was mobbed by his teammates at home plate after New York’s latest dramatic win at Citi Field.
Pelfrey allowed one run and five hits in nine innings, finishing with six strikeouts and no walks. The 6-foot-7 right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in his last five starts.
Elmer Dessens (1-1) got one out for his first win since Aug. 26, 2007.
Chase Headley had two hits for San Diego and Clayton Richard pitched seven strong innings.
Phillies 10 Marlins 8: At Philadelphia, Ben Francisco hit a two-run single with two outs in the eighth inning to help Philadelphia rally.
Brad Lidge pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his third save in three tries. He retired Ronny Paulino on an infield popup to end it.
Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino homered for the struggling Phillies, who scored more than three runs for just the third time in the last 16 games.
Highly touted slugger Mike Stanton was 3 for 5 with two infield singles and scored twice in his first game for Florida.
Braves 7 Diamondbacks 5: At Phoenix, Troy Glaus doubled in the go-ahead run for Atlanta in the eighth off Esmerling Vasquez, and Melky Cabrera scored on Juan Gutierrez’s wild pitch in the ninth.
Kelly Johnson was 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs for Arizona. Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds also homered for the Diamondbacks.
Atlanta starter Kris Medlen singled, walked twice and scored two runs. He left after five innings with a strained left shoulder, the result of a headfirst slide just ahead of Upton’s throw from right field for a run that tied it at 4.
Jonathan Venters (1-0) pitched 1 1-3 innings to get the victory. Billy Wagner threw a scoreless ninth for his 10th save in 12 tries.
Giants 3 Reds 0: At Cincinnati, Matt Cain pitched a seven-hitter for his second shutout of the season and singled home a run in the eighth inning to lead San Francisco.
Cain (5-4) subdued the NL’s most prolific offense—Brandon Phillips had three of Cincinnati’s hits—while going the distance for the third time this season. He has all of the Giants’ complete games.
Juan Uribehit his ninth homer into the upper deck in left field off right-hander Sam LeCure(1-2).
Astros 4 Rockies 3: At Denver, Carlos Leehad three hits, including a tie-breaking RBI single in the eighth inning, and Houston rallied from a three-run deficit.
Colorado starter Jeff Francis left after seven innings with a 3-2 lead but the Rockies’ bullpen could not protect it.
Pinch-hitter Michael Bourn singled off Matt Belisle (1-2) to start the eighth. He went to second on a balk and advanced to third on Tommy Manzella’sone-out infield single. Franklin Morales relieved and Lance Berkman reached on an RBI fielder’s choice. Rafael Betancourt relieved and Lee hit a broken-bat single to give the Astros their first lead.
Brewers 3 Cubs 2: At Milwaukee, Casey McGehee hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth inning to rally Milwaukee.
Facing Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol with runners on second and third and the Brewers trailing by one, McGehee rolled a single up the middle to score Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder.
