For Stephen Strasburg, little things can mean a lot (Nats win 9-5)

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP

Score: Nationals 9, Mets 5

Recap: Pinch-hitters Brian Goodwin and Chris Heisey came up big in a three-run third inning that erased a 1-0 Mets lead. Goodwin drove in a run with an RBI single and Heisey's bases-loaded single plated a pair. Stephen Strasburg allowed a run on three hits over three innings. Reliever Michael Brady was struck in the left knee by a line drive off the bat of T.J. Rivera leading off the sixth, and exited the game. Tony Campana added a two-run single in a five-run eighth. Jason Martinson went 3-for-4. Pitching for the first time in five days, closer Jonathan Papelbon struggled with his control, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks in the ninth before being removed after getting only two outs.

Need to know: Shortstop Danny Espinosa still doesn't have a hit this spring, but he did finally reach base for the first time on a second-inning walk. He then stole second and scored the first Nationals run. Otherwise, he's 0-for-11. In the eighth, Duane Below had Trea Turner picked off when he broke for second on a steal attempt, but Turner beat first baseman Mark Krauss' relay.

On deck: Saturday, vs. Braves in Lake Buena Vista, 6:05 p.m.
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VIERA, Fla. - Spring training is the time to try new things, Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg keeps reminding himself. The presence of a new pitching coach helps reinforce that idea, and Mike Maddux has been working with his Nats staff on ideas big and small to make them better pitchers.

Strasburg's observation after he labored at times through three innings against the Mets on Friday was that he needs to continue his process of varying his time to the plate. Sometimes, he rushes a little, and holding the ball slightly longer is an effective way to interrupt a hitter's timing.

"I'm trying to just work on little things," Strasburg said after allowing a run on three hits with two walks and a strikeout. "I think one thing to take away from this game that I need to work on is varying my time to home plate. That's something I've been working on. I thought I was kind of slower holding the ball, but I think I can do better."

The change in leadership and the arrival of new manager Dusty Baker and Maddux has driven home the point to Strasburg that he's still learning - even as he hits the final year of his initial contract with the Nationals and possible free agency.

"You're always trying to get better, it doesn't matter how long you play this game," he said. "I approach it the same way: It's all about trying to figure out what works for you. But you should always be open to whoever might have advice, even if it's a guy who doesn't have a day in the big leagues or a guy who's got 15 years. You can pick up something from anybody."

Strasburg threw 35 of his 54 pitches for strikes, but got into jams in the first and third innings, sandwiching his trouble around a 1-2-3 second. In the first, he had runners on first and second with one out before he got Dominic Smith to bounce up the middle, with shortstop Danny Espinosa turning a 6-unassisted double play. In the third, former teammate Roger Bernadina led off with a double and scored on Juan Lagares' two-out single to center. Strasburg then walked Wilmer Flores but Smith to roll one over and ground out to first baseman Tyler Moore to end the threat.

"Trying to get weak contact," Strasburg said. "Other than the Shark's double, I pretty much did that."