Strasburg overpowers Phillies in Nats' 4-1 win

Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg is perfect through four innings. He's working quickly having only thrown only 32 pitches. He got Phillies second baseman Cody Asche swinging to end the first and center fielder Odubel Herrera whiffed to start the fourth.

Third baseman Danny Espinosa, in only his second career start at the position, helped Strasburg with a spectacular sliding over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory on a pop fly from shortstop Freddy Galvis in the fourth.

The Nats have only managed hits from shortstop Ian Desmond and catcher Wilson Ramos against Phillies starter David Buchanan.

Update: Strasburg began the fifth by striking out right fielder Jeff Francoeur and first baseman Ryan Howard. Then catcher Carlos Ruiz broke up his no-hit bid with a single to left.

Center fielder Denard Span began a two-out rally with his first hit of the season on a flare to right in the fifth. That set up shortstop Ian Desmond's double down the left field line, scoring Span all the way from first. Left fielder Jayson Werth followed with a liner to center, plating Desmond.

After Buchanan gave right fielder Bryce Harper a free pass, first baseman Ryan Zimmerman dropped a ball into right to score Werth.

Update II: Zimmerman gave Strasburg some insurance with a two-out single to center to score Desmond in the seventh. It's his second RBI on the day raising his team-leading total to 11.

All four of the Nats runs have come with two outs today.

Update III: The Phillies finally got to Strasburg in the eighth when Hererra hit a one-out double to the gap in left. Galvis followed with a single to center, plating Herrera, to put the Phillies on the scoreboard. Williams then ended Strasburg's afternoon and called for lefty Matt Thornton, who quickly recorded two outs to get the Nats out of the inning.

Strasburg allowed one run on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. He's in line to pick up his first win of the season.

Update IV: Closer Drew Storen gave up two hits in the ninth, but was able to finish off the Phillies. The Nats win 4-1 and capture their first series of the season.