Strasburg goes to 13-0 with eight strong in win over Pirates

It turns out the rest might have worked out perfectly for Stephen Strasburg. Or maybe he didn't really need it at all.

Strasburg twirled eight innings and allowed only one run, becoming the first National League starting pitcher since 1912 to start a season 13-0.

The Nationals dropped the Pirates 5-1.

Selected to the All-Star Game in his hometown of San Diego, Strasburg sat out of the game to rest and get ready for the second half. Earlier this season, he had been on the disabled list for 17 games with an upper back strain.

Strasburg looked outstanding against the Pirates, showing no ill effects or rustiness from not pitching for seven days in a major league game.

He did not allow a base hit until the top of fifth.

Starling Marte delivered a clean single up the middle to start that frame. Later in that inning, Jordy Mercer delivered a line drive past first baseman Clint Robinson and the Pirates led 1-0.

Strasburg also helped his cause with an outstanding bunt in the seventh. With the game tied at 1-1 and Danny Espinosa at third base and Robinson at first, Strasburg laid down a bunt up the first base line.

Pitcher Neftali Feliz fielded the ball and initially appeared to have Espinosa hung up between third and home but elected to try to get Strasburg out at first. However, first baseman David Freese did not step on the bag and his throw home to Eric Fryer was late, giving the Nats a 2-1 lead.

Another error allowed Robinson to score and then Michael A. Taylor crushed a two-run shot over the right-center field wall to give the Nats a 5-1 lead.

Strasburg completed the night in impressive fashion with a strike-three-called curveball to get Pirates leadoff hitter Josh Harrison. He finished eight innings, allowing one run on three hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. He fired 105 pitches, 69 for strikes.

Shawn Kelley struck out the side in the ninth to send the Nationals to their fourth straight win.

Strasburg has entered the fifth inning with a no-hitter in each of his three post-DL starts.