Strasburg homers, has five RBIs (Nats lead 10-1)

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg has become the latest Nationals hitter to go through the dugout dance line following a home run.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Strasburg launched a 420-foot laser over the left field bullpen at SunTrust Park, capping an eight-run top of the third for the Nationals, who have opened up a commanding lead over the Braves in the opener of this critical, four-game weekend series.

The Nats had already plated five runs in the inning before Strasburg stepped to the plate. (He had scored the first run after singling to lead off the frame, then racing around from first on Adam Eaton's triple.) Victor Robles' bases-loaded double in front of Strasburg knocked out rookie right-hander Kyle Wright and brought reliever Touki Toussaint in from the bullpen.

Strasburg then launched his no-doubt homer to left, coasting around the bases as the crowd booed. He returned to the dugout, where his teammates (as has become custom for any home run) formed a corridor for him to dance down the line. The ever-shy pitcher did his best not to look too awkward, helped by dance line creator Gerardo Parra, who grabbed him by the hands and joined him for a few seconds.

It was Strasburg's fourth career homer, his first since 2017. And it capped off a crazy inning in which he went 2-for-2 with two runs, a homer, three RBIs and one conga line.

Update: Strasburg isn't done, folks. He came up to bat again in the fifth and delivered a two-run single to left. That makes him 3-for-3 with a homer and five RBIs. All in the span of three innings. He's the first pitcher in club history with a five RBI game. And he's only the second pitcher in the DH era (since 1973) with three hits, a homer and five RBIs in a game, joining the Diamondbacks' Micah Owings in 2007. The Nationals lead 10-1 after five.