Strasburg allows rare early homer against Tigers (Nats win 5-4)

The Tigers jumped on top early against the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg. And they did it by doing something that only one hitter has been able to accomplish in Strasburg's first six starts of the season.

Strasburg had allowed only a Brian Dozier eighth-inning three-run shot on April 24, the only homer in his 42 innings of work to begin 2016.

But Nick Castellanos was able to turn on a Strasburg fastball and knock it over the left field wall to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the first. His two-out blast followed a leadoff four-pitch walk to Ian Kinsler.

Aníbal Sanchez set down the Nationals 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first.

The Tigers are up 2-0 in the second.

Update: In the fourth, the Nationals got on the board. Daniel Murphy's single scored Anthony Rendon from second and the Tigers lead has been trimmed to 2-1. Rendon had walked and stole second.

Update II: With news swirling at Nats Park of the Strasburg reported contract extension, the right-hander allowed another home run. Kinsler walked to begin the fifth and J.D. Martinez followed with a two-run shot to put Detroit up, 4-1.

Update III: The Nationals rally in the sixth thanks to their hottest hitter. With Ryan Zimmerman on first base after a fielder's choice, Murphy cranked a two-run homer over the right field fence to cut the Tigers advantage to 4-3. It was Murphy's fifth homer of the season and he has all three RBIs.

Update IV: With the bases loaded in the seventh, thanks to singles from Michael A. Taylor and Danny Espinosa, and a misplayed bunt by Sanchez that allowed Strasburg to reach first, the Nationals tied the game. Ben Revere launched a long fly ball off of reliever Kyle Ryan that was caught in right field. The sacrifice fly allowed Taylor to score and the Nationals were all even at 4-4.

Update V: On a night Strasburg will remember most likely more for the reported seven-year contract extension, the right-hander rebounded from a couple of pitches he would like to have back, to go seven innings, plus one batter. Strasburg allowed six hits, four runs (all earned) three walks and 11 strikeouts. He threw 107 pitches, 65 for strikes.

Update VI: Clint Robinson hit a solo homer in bottom of the ninth, a shot over the right field fence off of Mark Lowe. The Nationals win 5-4 on Robinson's walk-off homer and end four-game losing streak. Just before the decisive home run, Bryce Harper was ejected by home plate umpire Brian Knight after Espinosa was caught looking at a third called strike.