Strasburg tosses 5 solid innings in loss

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Stephen Strasburg allowed two hits over five shutout innings Tuesday night in his first major league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery, but the bullpen blew the lead as the Washington Nationals lost 7-3 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 2009 overall No. 1 draft pick again displayed the blurry fastball, the knee-buckling sinker and the fooled-again changeup that wowed the baseball world last year during his rookie season. Those magical days of “Strasmus” came to an abrupt end when his elbow popped on Aug. 21 in Philadelphia, and his long road back began when he had the now-familiar, career-saving ligament replacement surgery last Sept. 3.

The 23-year-old right-hander wound his way through six minor league rehab starts with four teams in four states over the last month, culminating with a majors return which was easily the most anticipated event of the season for a Nationals club trying to avoid a fourth consecutive last-place NL East finish. Daylong rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee threatened to postpone the game, but, when it came time to play, the weather put itself on hold for the pitcher wearing jersey No. 37 and those gotta-love-’em traditional high red knee-socks.

Strasburg’s teammates, however, weren’t as cooperative as Mother Nature. He was set to get to win when he departed with a 3-0 lead, but the bullpen allowed the Dodgers to tie it in the sixth.

Tigers 10, Indians 1

Phillies 6, Braves 3

Astros 4, Pirates 1

Red Sox 14, Blue Jays 0

Rangers 8, Rays 0

Reds 4, Cubs 2

White Sox 3, Twins 0

Cardinals 4, Brewers 2

Rockies 8, D-backs 3

Mariners 2, Angels 1

Mets 7, Marlins 4

Giants 6, Padres 4

Royals 7, A’s 4

Yankees 5, Orioles 3