HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg went three innings, allowed two hits, two runs, one earned and struck out six in his fourth overall rehab start, third with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Strasburg hit 98 mph and sat around 95 to 97 mph, firing 60 pitches, 40 for strikes. He struck out six Hickory hitters, two of them looking. He fell behind a few hitters in the first inning, and walked one. Hickory scored a run in the first and third frames. He had his best inning in the second when he went 1-2-3, with a pair of strikeouts, tossing just 12 pitches, eight for strikes. Strasburg threw 27 pitches in the first inning and 21 in the third frame.

The hitters from Hickory were taking a lot more pitches than the Lexington Legends did last Wednesday. Lexington tended to first pitch swing in that game that Strasburg allowed five runs. This time, Hickory worked the counts a lot more and was more patient. This presented a unique challenge for Strasburg in which he managed to weather. Several top Nationals executives were in attendance, including general manager MIke Rizzo and director of player development Doug Harris, as well as principal owner Mark Lerner. I will have further details after Strasburg visits with the media later tonight, so be sure to check back throughout the night.