Despite early struggles, Strasburg satisfied with effort (Nats rally, win 6-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 6, Cardinals 5

Recap: Stephen Strasburg allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Strasburg's difficulties began in the second when he walked Randall Grichuk to start the inning. The Cardinals followed with three straight singles taking a 2-0 lead. Grichuk homered off A.J. Cole in the third extending the Cardinals lead to 3-1. The Nationals rallied in the sixth, taking the lead for good on two-run singles from prospects Matt Skole and Wilmer Difo.

Need to know: Manager Matt Williams said before the game that Yunel Escobar will miss seven to 10 days with a Grade 1 left oblique strain. Williams does not think the injury puts Escobar in jeopardy of missing opening day. Top outfield prospect Michael A. Taylor made his exhibition debut after being bothered by a neck issue. He was 1-2 with a single as a DH.

On deck: Sunday, at New York Yankees in Tampa, 1:05 p.m. ____________________________________________________________

VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg was pleased with his first Grapefruit League start, despite allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in just 1 2/3 innings. Twenty-six of Strasburg's 40 pitches were strikes.

"I felt strong," said Strasburg. "Fastball was coming out good, was locating that. Curveball felt good. Changeup wasn't great, but for a first outing I was happy with the command. Just got some weak contact so that's all you can ask for."

Manager Matt Williams had previously said it was his plan for all starters to pitch either two innings or around 45 pitches.

"Just get your feet wet," said Strasburg. "Get your pitches up, go out there and work on stuff. Just get back into the swing of things. I think it's good to get in a situation like that. Obviously, you don't like walking guys to start the inning, but probably going to do that over the course of the season anyway, so it's good to kind of get your feet wet in those situations from the get-go."

Now entering his fifth season in the majors, Strasburg has learned to approach early exhibition starts with tempered expectations.

"You're going out there and you're competing," he said. "You want to go out there and put up zeros. But at this point in spring training, I know that I shouldn't necessarily be clicking on all cylinders right now, the first game, because I'm trying to pace myself. At the same time I'm trying to make sure that I'm on top of my game at the end of the year."

"That was something that just getting experience over the course of the years and throwing less bullpens before the start of spring usually helps me out in the long run. So just trying to focus on getting better every day."

Strasburg has struggled at times early in games, something he's aware of.

"I think it's just part of settling in," he said. "The great pitchers in baseball history, that's where the saying comes from - if you're going to get them, get them early. I know I'm a better pitcher later on in the game so it's important to minimize the damage because usually it's happening later on the game."

The Nationals are up 6-4 heading to the top of the eighth.